Trapped (Imprisoned by the Fae 1)

inst the bulge trapped along the top of his thigh before he stiffens even more.

Oh.

Oh.

I move so that I’m not crushing him, but I know what I felt. His erection is like a length of steel, hard and thick, and undeniable. Though I’d never be able to tell from his face, he’s as aroused as I am.

It’s the touch. I know it is. It’s part of the magic. With a single touch, the fae can siphon off so much power from a human. It gives them strength. It gives them control. Because they don’t have their own, the fae are taking part of a human’s soul inside of them. For as long as it lasts, they’re almost invincible.

There’s a balance in Faerie. Even though a hierarchy exists in this world, with the fae at the very top, it all falls apart without balance. A fae might take from a human, but they’re sure to leave something behind; otherwise there would be a debt, and that just can’t happen. So while the fae leech with their touch, they leave behind so much pleasure that the human doesn’t mind bargaining their soul.

I should know. After our time together in the oubliette, I so don’t mind at all right now.

11

“Hey. Are you alright? Is this okay?”

“Perfectly. Don’t worry about me.”

This position has me feeling a little provocative, and even more mischievous. “You’re kinda stiff, Rys.”

“Mm.”

“Are you sure I’m not hurting you?”

“Quite sure.”

His jaw is tight. Look at him. The poor guy is doing everything he can to stay in control. Let’s see if I can change that.

Before I can think better of what I’m about to do, I kiss the underside of his jaw. “Relax.”

“Are you trying to seduce me, Leannán?”

“Depends.” I grin up at him. Okay. So he can see right through me. That’s fine. “Is it working?”

Touching him feels so damn good. And maybe it has everything to do with his fae abilities, I don’t know, but I don’t care. Something tells me that my need to get close to him has more to do with the fact that he’s Rys. If Veron got his paws on me, there’s no way it would feel half as amazing. I’m sure of it. And Dusk—

I shiver again. Not out of lust or because of the chill, but fear. He hasn’t returned to the prison yet, but I don’t know how much longer he needs to recover. The fae have miraculous healing properties. How else could he have survived the fire in the first place?

What will he do when he realizes that I let Rys touch me? That I chose to give a part of me to the Seelie prisoner instead of the Unseelie guard—and that I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Not just to shield myself, either, because it just seemed right?

What will he do when he realizes that I refused him, but that I willingly slept with Rys?

Because, so long as Rys is down with it, it’s happening. I crossed the point of no return when I climbed into his lap again and felt the bulge pushing up against my ass.

His body is ready for this.

Know what?

So is mine.

“You’re still cool,” he murmurs, picking up on my shiver. So what if he misinterprets the cause behind it? It pushes him to make his next move. Rys hesitates for a moment, then comes to a decision. His body relaxes, his back bowing as he opens his arms, wrapping them loosely around me. He cups my elbows, his chin hovering over my shoulder. “Stay with me. I’ll give you some of my light.”

Just one press of his skin against mine and I lose myself. Not only that, but I lose all control and want to just stay wrapped up in his arms forever. It’s safe here, it’s secure, and I can forget all about the trouble that I’m in.

I need the touch. Crave it. Rys does, too. He’s taking everything I allow him, running his fingers lightly up the backs of my bare arms, the heat of his breath tickling the tip of my ear as he pants softly.

I reach up with one hand, leaving the cradle of his palm. He immediately stills. His beautiful hair is a curtain, hiding his face from me. The strands whisper across my cheek, brushing across my lips, my chin, my throat as he keeps his head turned just to my left.