“The collar, naleah. My vampyr is protesting, so put it on me immediately.”
Kissing him, she shifted her hands out of his hair and touched the ends of the leather
together. The magic imbued into the object did the rest, fusing it into one cohesive
piece. She hooked her finger in the ring at the front of the collar. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Bright green flashed in his eyes, evidence
of
the vampyr’s
wariness
. “I’m contemplating
how hard I’m going to fuck you when
Gabriel and I have you alone again.
If I should dominate you, make you beg for release
,
or if I should allow you to come at all.
”
A tiny gasp parted her lips. He went on, describing what he intended.
“I’ll peel your clothes off your body. Give me permission now to disrobe you.”
She bit her bottom lip, uncertain if she should grant his wish. What he described
, along with the visions of losing control with him,
might send a thrill through her belly, but that was fantasy. The reality might be
different
…particularly if he found a way to stop her from climaxing.
His voice lowered, turned darker. “Sameya, grant me permission.”
While she’d
retrieved
her
clothing
,
they’d packed a bag and Kat had created collars for the three of them.
Her attire couldn’t be removed without her consent. “Per-permission…granted.”
“Afraid I’ll abuse my power, naleah?” Maximus
ran his
thumb back and forth along her jaw
,
his
contemplation
intense
.
“A little.”
He leaned forward, nipping her lobe with his fangs. Then he pressed his lips against
her ear and whispered so no one else could hear. “
Once n
aked, I’ll bend you over
,
have you spread your legs so I can
dine on your
pussy
and
ass.
Then I’ll ram my cock inside you so hard you’ll scream. Should I let you climax?
” She would’ve
nodded
, but he fisted her hair, halting her movement. “
I’ll have to consider if you’ve earned the right to come or if I should punish you
because you insist on
endangering your
goddamn
life
.”
Appalled
he’d prefer she not aid her Empress
, Sameya jerked backward, but he held her tight.
“
As difficult as your request is for me,
I submit to you now.” He pulled back enough to catch her gaze. “
But l
ater you
must
submit to me.”
“God
s
, Maximus.”
She shivered and he smiled, one that suggested he knew how aroused she’d become by
his
proposal
. Would she really allow him to do
all that he said? Certainly not!
Rattled by what he’d detailed and her body’s reaction,
she faced Gabriel quickly. The knowing lopsided grin he wore hinted he’d heard Maximus.
He confirmed it with, “
If he doesn’t let you come, maybe I will.
” She inhaled slowly as he stepped closer, his turn to whisper in her ear. “Or maybe
I’ll
settle for
finger-fuck
ing
you while he
eats your pussy
.”
Wetness surged between her thighs. “Gabriel.”
He kissed her hard
before shifting
into tiger. She ran her fingers through his fur. The soft rumble of a purr sounded
in the room. She kissed his head as she fastened the collar on his neck. Then
she
snapped the leash on the hook.
Facing Maximus with his leash, she squirmed under his studious regard. He caught her
wrist and tugged her arm upward toward the O-ring. Metal binged against
metal
, but latched with ease. The witch was already collared and leashed.
Looping her fingers through the handles of the three leashes, she called up the portal
mist
. Using a smidge of magic, the cage housing
Gryphon
elevated off the floor. He gripped the bars as she thrust the stainless steel
into the
opening, and then
she guided
Gabriel, Maximus
,
and Kat into Atlantis.
A small
vestibule
led
to the
doorways of the
Hall where she knew she’d find Empress E’Neskha.
The guards positioned on either side of the door
s
wouldn’t
refuse her entry even if their nervous glances at those
in her company
hinted they’d like to. Vampyrs weren’t allowed in Atlantis because of their superiority
over most species and a siren’s inability to serenade them. Kept Atlantis safer that
way.
T
he way Maximus’
s
fangs protruded over his bottom lip left little doubt as to his ancestry. Gabriel
caused little commotion and Kat even less.
She
motioned
for the guards to guide the crate holding Gryphon. As she approached the doors, they
opened. Empress E’Neskha was receiving court. Perfect since it allowed for a bigger
audience for what would transpire.
And Sameya would bet it was why she held court.
Positioned at a higher elevation than everyone in the Hall, the leader peered down
at her. Lucius was at her side; his slack-jawed gape directed toward Sameya drawing
a lopsided smile from her.
She bet he didn’t expect her to enter the building, much less arrive with one of her
mates in tow. And with the way he peered at Maximus, she had no doubt he recognized
the vampyr.
S
ilence descended in a rush, rippling through the crowd like a wave. E’Neskha rose
from her throne as those in residence turned toward
Sameya
. Only after
she and her group
came to a stop a few feet away from t
he steps leading to the Empress
did Sameya speak.
“Good to see you’re well, Lucius.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Pompous bastard elevated his eyebrows and stared down his nose
at her.
“I’d heard you were injured in a raid. I was worried your sister would be distraught.”
“But not you.”
As an answer she smiled.
Using the side of her foot, s
he kicked the cage holding Gryphon
and turned her attention toward her leader
. “
One of the
traitor
s set to destroy you, Empress.”
“Impressive work. Quicker than I anticipated, as well.” E’Neskha descended the stairs,
her spine straight and her shoulders squared.
“I would request a private audience with you to give you the name of the traitor in
Atlantis.” If she wasn’t mistaken, Lucius’ breath hitched. She offered him a lopsided
grin. “You will want to join us for that meeting, Lucius.”
He bristled and said in his haughtiest voice, “You do not tell me what to do, siren.”
“If Sameya wants you to join us, Lucius, then you’ll be at that meeting.” E’Neskha
had always trusted her strategy and
played along with Sameya
now
.
“And the others with you?”
“A gift for you.” She offered the leash strapped to Kat to her leader. The
witch
snapped a surprised glance in her direction, but
offered no
object
ion
.
E’Neskha didn’t bat an eyelash in shock, but
cooperated
, her eyes alighting with genuine delight.
“A witch with magical promise
, Empress
. Easily serenaded, but I grant you permission to override my sway
and handle her however you desire
.”
Kat
walked toward E’Neskha in a drone-like state as the Atlantis ruler slowly
tugged
her leash forward. “I shall treasure her. Thank you.” The Atlantian fingered the witch’s
cheek, her dark hair
,
and then pulled the taller
woman
down so they were nose-to-nose. “What trick shall I have you perform first?”
“Whatever pleases you
the
most.” Sameya had to give Kat points, she played the serenaded part well.
“What of the vampyr?” E’Neskha tugged down on Kat’s collar. “Sit, my pet.”
As Kat sunk to recline at
the Empress’
fe
et, Sameya replied,
“My new
play
thing
.” She grinned
, knowing Maximus wouldn’t like her statement
. “He’s charmed
,
and as docile as a well-fed pussy-cat.”
“Does he bite?”
Often.
“Only if I want him to.”
The fair-haired ruler peered at Gabriel, who suddenly began to purr, startling the
crowd. E’Neskha chuckled. “You always did have a taste for the exotic, Sameya.”
“They’ll go nicely with my
brownie and my
pair of Zion
.”
“Indeed.” She palmed the witch’s head. “Join me for dinner in t
hree
hours
, Sameya
. Bring your new
acquisitions
.
We’ll discuss the other details you’ve learned then.
”
Sameya inclined her head and bowed low. As she rose, E’Neskha said, “That you captured
my foe reconfirms why I maintain you as my royal guard. You will be rewarded well.”
“Your satisfa
ction is reward enough.” She le
d her men from the room
, noting
the curious stares
and those deep in hushed whispers
.
She was certain a
t least one of E’Neskha’s enemies witnessed the exchange.
The walk to her room was short, as she was positioned near her Empress for maximum
protection. Magically sensing her as she drew near, her door
vaporized long enough for them to
enter her abode. As soon as they stepped through, the opening became solid once more.
Releasing her mates’ leashes, she had little time to prepare for her Zion
’s
greetin
gs. Huge paranormal canine’s lo
ped into the room, tails wagging and tongues lolling. She went to her knees and wrapped
her arms around their necks.
“My boys. My sweet, sweet boys, oh, how I’ve missed you.” Wet licks to her neck and
face. She giggled as they
overbalanced her
,
and without clinging to their necks she’d have tumbled to the
floor.
One week out of Atlantis and she’d missed them dreadfully.
“A dog lover,” Gabriel said with much disgust in his voice.
Swiveling in her crouched position, she studied
her tiger.
Naked from his shift back into human his tattoos
were
stark against his muscled flesh.
“Particular cats have their appeal.”
His golden eyes grew hot at that confession.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As she rose, she motioned to the dogs that stood waist high. “Meet my long-time companions,
Nero and Th
r
ax. You two”—she rubbed the heads of the canines—“these are my…mates.”
Maximus’
s
perusal was so
concentrated
she shifted
from foot to foot
. He unhooked the leash from his collar and tossed it on the sofa
with a hard fling
.
Silence extended between them as he approached and
offered
his hand for the dogs to sniff. In her personal space, he hooked a finger into the
waistband of her Basilisk pants
and
simply
stared at her as she waited for him to react
.
Nervous beneath his quietness and stern regard,
Sameya cleared her throat. “I know you like to cook, so I had Dart stock my cabinets
and icebox.
If you prefer something else, Dart will get it for you.
”
“Who is Dart?” Gabriel strolled closer, his body language more playful compared to
Maximus’
s
serious
one
.
“My brownie.”