Take Me

It was only once we were in what had been my chambers when the castle was my home that he raised concern. “My place is by my husband’s side. I have to go to him.” As if on cue, he licked his lips.

I offered what I hoped looked like a sympathetic frown. “Isn't it exhausting?”

“Isn't what exhausting?” Jett asked.

“Concealing your illness?”

“I'm not ill,” he snapped with all the insistence of an addict. He stood up straighter, lifting his chin like that would make a difference.

“You've become addicted. Why don't you admit it? Wouldn't it be easier if you did?” I asked.

“I will not stand here and listen to this.” He sidestepped me, prepared to leave the room.

“Do you realize my brother is not the only Synian whose bite will soothe your thirst?” I couldn't see him, but I heard Jett’s progress halt, and it made me smile.

“You don't know what you're talking about.”

I looked back at him over my shoulder, saw him shaking, his eyes on the door but his feet rooting him to the spot. In the end, his addiction would be stronger than his will. It would override everything, even his sense of self preservation.

“I do. And that's why you can't stop shaking. Twitching. Your skin always itches, doesn't it?” When I looked to Dawn, I found her standing open-mouthed. “Just as yours does. If I hadn't taken you from the feeder tank, you would be clawing at the door by now, begging for an opportunity to be used,” I added.

“How is this any of your business?” He whirled on me, eyes blazing, a thin sheen of sweat covering his skin.

He rocked back and forth, fists clenching and unclenching. Oh, yes. He was firmly in the grip of his need.

“I can give you what it is you crave. But first, you must admit what you're struggling with. You're addicted to the bite. Say it.” I waited, anticipation gnawing at me.

Just as he craved my bite, I craved his admission of weakness. Once I received that, I would have everything I needed.

He took his time about it. I couldn't blame him for being prideful, even if his pride was somewhat inconvenient at the moment. Time was of the essence. There was only so much of Syn to show.

Slowly, the fight drained from him. He seemed to shrink, the shoulders he'd thrown back now slumping. He scratched his arms, staring at the floor. “Yes. I need it. I'm so hungry for it. Please—”

“Is Theon aware?”

There was no hesitation now, no pretense of resisting. His head bobbed up and down, tongue darting over his lips. “He's been helping me. He doesn't indulge me all the time, but enough to keep me level-headed.”

Oh, yes, this was level-headed. That blank-eyed, expressionless husk on the beach was certainly evidence of Theon’s wisdom. Then again, the more frequent the bites, the worse the addiction would become.

Not that it mattered. I had what I wanted: a means of keeping Jett under my control.

I crossed the room slowly, meeting him at the foot of the enormous bed that was once mine. I did not need it for sleeping, but it came in handy for other uses. “You don't need him. I can help you, and I won't restrict you as he does. You won’t have to suffer the craving with no hope for satisfaction in sight. I'll take care of you.” I reached out, touching a hand to his cheek.

With the other hand, I reached for Dawn. “Both of you. I see you struggling. It does not have to be this way. Allow me to give you what you need. You can enjoy it together.”

Dawn let out something between a whimper and a groan as her resolve melted away. “Please, please.” She leaned into my touch, resting her cheek against my open palm. “Anything. Only please, give it to me.”

It must have been her reaction that set Jett off. He discarded the last of his self-respect, pressing his lips against my palm before moving to the inside of my wrist. “I need it. I need you.”

Dawn slid a hand over my chest before moving lower, eventually cupping my hardening cock. “Take me. Make the pain go away. Give me all of you, and I will give you all of me.”

I leaned in, inhaling deeply, so close to the blood beneath the surface of her skin. “Yes, my faithful maiden. I will quench your desire while you quench mine.”

I turned to Jett, my lips skimming his throat while he shuddered and whimpered with need. “Both of you. I see no reason why we can't all get what we need.” I backed toward the bed, and they followed, breathless with anticipation. With hunger.

It was almost too easy.