Take Me

24ALDRIC

By the timewe reached the beach, my cock was as stiff as the mast in front of me. My Omega. She was out there, close enough that I could nearly pick up her scent in the air. She pulled to me, beckoning me. Soon. Very soon. I could hardly contain my excitement as the Siren army began to disembark.

The second ship was already anchored, longboats full of Synians now reaching the shore. They were eager, ready to get on with it after spending so much time on the water.

“Bring the maidens to the beach.” I turned to Jett, standing beside me and wearing the same dazed expression he seemed to have adopted. “Allow the Synians one last feed before charging the village.”

Rather than follow my orders and command those around us, he turned his head slowly, now staring at me the way he'd stared at the beach before us. Did he see me? Did he even know where he was?

“Do as I say,” I whispered. “If you ever hope for another bite.”

He trembled, his chin quivering and his eyes shining as tears welled up in them. Here he was, the supposed king, weak as a newborn thanks to his addiction. His gaze latched onto my mouth—rather, on the fangs hidden behind my lips.

He was so hungry, so desperate that nothing else mattered.

“Is this what you need?” I closed a hand around the back of his neck and hauled him in close.

The stench of his sweat was acrid, bringing to mind rot and decay. I pushed aside all thoughts of this before plunging my teeth into the soft flesh of his neck.

He moaned, melting against me, while clawing at my shoulders in what might have been an expression of passion were he not so thoroughly lost. No, he gripped me desperately, silently begging for more. Jett tried with all his might to keep me close, so that I might never pull away. So that he might live in the bliss of my bite always.

Yet I did pull back, swallowing what tasted like rubber now that he'd been so freely used. It didn't matter. My bite granted him a moment's clarity and just enough strength to put on a display for those awaiting his command.

“Do as I said,” I muttered, leading him up onto the deck.

Now, he held his head higher than before, no longer shaking or pleading for what he needed.

“Synians, feed on your maidens but do it quickly.” His voice rang out, full of confidence. “Once you've had your fill, take the Witch village. Sirens as well. Disembark, wait on the beach for the Synians to finish their feeding and then go at once. Find my sister and bring her to me.”

It wasn't until we disembarked and were standing on the beach that Theon found us. He wore the look of a man trying desperately to catch up to reality.

“What is this?” he hissed, while all around us hungry Synians strengthened themselves with the blood of willing maidens.

Two or three at a time, they sank their fangs into man and woman alike, writhing together a sensual dance under the full moon.

I could only laugh at Theon’s confusion. “What does it look like?” I demanded. “They're preparing for the invasion. Or have you forgotten, brother, why we came?”

“The idea was—”

“The idea is that I get my share of the bargain—my Omega—as we agreed. Once that has been settled, our combined armies will take on the Fae. This is as we discussed back in Syn.” I lifted an eyebrow, doing my best to conceal my glee.

Perhaps it was unfair of me, taking pleasure in this, but it was quite a reversal from the normal way of things. He’d always considered himself the great strategist, playing an endless game of chess. Anticipating his opponent's moves and preparing for them while making moves of his own, all while luring opponents into traps he’d set.

Now, there was nothing for him to do but fumble around in the trap I’d set. Theon watched with an increasing sense of having lost control of what he believed he'd set in motion.

“And what about my husband?” Theon asked.

At the moment, Jett wandered among the troops, a look of intense hunger etched across his face. He was a man in the grips of starvation, licking his lips and clearly coveting what the helpless maidens now experienced. Maidens who shouted their joy and ecstasy with hips bucking and mouths hanging open to allow shrieks of delight to tumble free.

He was in the middle of it, but he was no part of it, and that separation shredded his soul. What was left of it.

I lifted a shoulder. “What of him? He is moving among his legions, reminding them who they fight for.”

“Don't give me that,” Theon snarled. “What have you done to him?”

“I'm afraid I don't understand what you think you're implying, Brother.” I followed my arms but was unable to suppress a smirk.

“He is my husband. Mine.” His teeth flashed in the moonlight, eyes glittering before turning black. “Not one of your toys. And not a pawn you can use.”