The hellbeasts past, p.21
The HellBeast's Past, page 21
“Fate happened.”
“Fate?” I nodded at Orth and finally pushed out the impossible through trembling lips…
“She just gave me a Blood Oath.”
24
ALL IT EVER MEANS
JARED 1799
By the time I carried my Chosen back to my bed chambers, she was half asleep and yawning in her exhaustion. Naturally, I found the action adorable and even that in itself was somewhat disconcerting. Because I was swiftly becoming a slave to her, and she had not one clue as to my inner turmoil. For I was quickly falling in my addiction and with it, I knew without a shred of doubt that I had quickly fallen in love with her.
But then, this part didn’t come as a surprise as my instant attraction to her, the draw to her very soul, had me enraptured a long time ago. Much to my shame considering I had already believed myself to be in love with my wife. It was also why I felt the betrayal as strongly as I did. As there was no other explanation or way to describe the guilt. Not considering I had only known Ella for what felt like mere moments before acting upon my instincts to kiss her. It was why I couldn’t end her life when I had the chance to, and thank the Gods that I hadn’t, as for now I could not ever see my life without her.
I didn’t care for what the Fates had deemed her to be to me, it was the woman, the very essence of all she was as a person, that I had fallen for. She had quickly become my everything and, in truth, she was the moment she set foot back into my domain. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.
I knew she was still keeping something from me and, well, she was nothing short of an enigma. A riddle that needed unraveling and soon, for I feared that she was a danger to herself. The past few days were testament to that. But exchanging one problem merely left me with another. Because I had made the decision to free the Fool, solely so as it would prevent her from trying time and time again to save him. And considering she owed him her life, then I knew she would risk her own to do right by him. But in truth this hadn’t been the hardship I first believed it to be, as after watching his strength and power in the prisons, then I knew the ring would be no difference. I loathed to admit it and my brother even more so, but he would be a powerful addition to my council and that was one fact I couldn’t ignore.
Along with the need to test my Chosen and the strength of loyalty to the blood oath she made. Even now I could feel it weighing comfortably against my soul. The taste of her blood forever there, branded to my mind and always wanting more. I had not been lying when I admitted never being sated, never having enough of her. I had taken her. I had forced her hand and made her mine without shame but still… it wasn’t enough.
I wanted her to be mine willingly.
I knew this would come in time, but it was that very time that felt like my enemy. As if I were chasing it and trying to get ahead only so as I could cut her off from making her own misguided mistakes. She had admitted to me that she was trying to get back home, thirty years into the past. Something I knew wasn’t possible. But fear had my heart gripped in its unyielding grasp and it wouldn’t let go until I found this witch who cast the spell in the first place. I needed to do all in my power to prevent her from leaving or getting herself hurt in the process of such a task.
If it were even true.
Because no matter how much I tried to ignore my HellBeast instincts, I couldn’t help but cling on to the lie I had scented in her story. Of course, it was one that gave me only a hint as if it was being masked by truth. Which told me elements of how she came to be here were true. But there was an undercurrent of deceit that I really focused on and that was something I wouldn’t… no, more like, couldn’t… let go of.
Just like I couldn’t let go of her.
Gods but even placing her down on my bed had me gripping on tighter for just that little bit longer. Even though I had no intention of leaving her, I still needed to wash the scent of stale ale from my skin. Ale that after she had thrown it in my face, she had taken off running from the intensity of our blood bond made. I knew she was overwhelmed. That she was frightened. And like a bastard I had fed from it instead of soothing it. But that had been my mistake, and one I hoped I had fixed, despite it being on the top of a barrel.
Devil’s blood but I hadn’t lied when I told her that she was insatiable, as she seemed to be a slave to her desire for me just as I was a slave to her. But I adored how different she was to other women. She didn’t shy away from her feelings, from her passionate reactions. She didn’t hide her thought behind that of a coy smile or the veil of societies countenance. She freely gifted me that side of her and in truth, I relished every second.
Which was why I couldn’t wait to get back to her, after the short moments it took me to relieve myself of the ale consumed. This before ridding myself of my shirt so as I could pour water over my head, making quick work of watching my torso free of the ale that had showered me. I couldn’t help but grin at the memory, for she was certainly a feisty one my Chosen One.
I walked from behind the wooden screen that created a private space to complete such a bodily task and the moment I did, I found her sitting up in bed waiting for me. I also had to admit to feeling a great deal of satisfaction the moment her eyes widened before taking the time to rake them over my body with an unbridled yearning. I tried to hide my smirk, somewhat unsuccessfully as her reaction to seeing me pleased me immensely.
It was gratifying to know that she wasn’t immune to me anymore than I was to her. Which was why I tested this theory, purposely prompting the response I wanted from her when folding my arms across my chest, knowing my muscles would draw her eye. I was by no means a small man, not even in my human life, for the trade of a blacksmith certainly kept me strong.
But ever since my change, it took shape upon my vessel as well and gave me the tools needed to take an opponent down even without having to morph into my other form. Well, if it satisfied my Fated, then there was just another reason to add to being thankful for. The reaction she gave me was to bite her bottom lip, as well as holding her breath.
“Is there something about my body that speaks to you?” I asked, delighting in the way her cheeks flushed with natural blush and she tore her eyes from me in what looked like bashful reserve. So, I allowed my body to be drawn closer to her. Close enough so as I could take possession of the graceful dip of her chin and I could force her exquisite green eyes back to me. Eyes I had lost myself in long ago. Just as I had done with the sight of her blazing head of red curls that seemed as untamable as her fiery spirit.
She was my perfection.
“I tease you, Ella,” I said, my voice thick and full of the same desire I had seen in her appraising gaze. Her name now being one that easily rolled from the tongue and made it past my lips in more than a snarl of anger. Because in truth, I had started to question the past more and more from the moment she stepped back into my kingdom. As if at my heart, at my core, I knew who she truly was. It had summoned up the turbulent past between us like a storm needed to clear the air of such stifling heat. And like I said, now I questioned everything. I also knew I would continue to do so until I knew the truth of where she truly came from and what she was sincerely doing there that day. Although right now, I knew that these were answers for another day, for she had been through too much today as it was. Too much without me adding to her heavy mind and what seemed like an even heavier heart.
I did not wish to feed her fear.
So, I simply let these thoughts go and buried them back to the dark recesses of my mind… for now.
“Are you… erm… coming to bed?” she asked timidly, making me grin, as she was like flipping a coin. Both sides a face I could only predict I would find facing me when the gold landed. For now, I was dealing with the shy, nervous side and as much as it was near too much temptation to pass by, I ceased my teasing. Instead, I ran the backs of my fingers down her pretty, freckled skin, and resisted the urge to kiss each dusting of the lightest brown stars. As if she had been sprinkled with something extra special at birth by the hand of the Gods that gifted her to me. For I didn’t want the flawless porcelain skin of some doll I was apprehensive to touch for fear of shattering. I didn’t want the perfectly coiled hair hidden by some gaudy embellishment like a hat or feathers. I didn’t want the painted rouge to hide the natural blush of what my words and actions did to her, hence why I rubbed it away with my thumb. And I didn’t want a woman who hid her desires to drink ale like a man and curse just as loud as one.
Like I said…
She was my perfection.
In the end, I let my actions answer her, doing so by ridding myself of the one piece of clothing left, making her eyes this time drop to my throbbing length that once more begged for her talented mouth. And no words were needed as she eagerly took my cock in hand and made me hiss as the pleasure rose from my toes. The soft, delicate skin a contrast to the firm hold she had of me was near maddening. But then she leaned forward, getting to her hands and knees before me as I stood at the edge of the bed. Her mouth opened and I was a lost man.
A forsaken Beast.
There was nothing else in the world, for it could have burned around us and I wouldn’t have stopped her. I was incapable of any other thoughts but her and what she had the power to do to me. Gods but I had a job not to fall to my knees before her and beg her for mercy. Especially given the way her tongue caressed the length of me, from bottom to tip as if she were trying to brand every inch to her mind.
“You wish to kill me, woman?” I moaned freely, something that turned into a deep reverberating growl of pleasure when she grinned before taking the whole length of me in her mouth. This before sucking me deep enough to gag around the girth hitting the back of her throat. Gods she was beyond all I had ever experienced!
So much so, that my hand found itself embedded in her curls for fear that she would release me and never take me back to the heaven she created. She hummed happily at this dominant hold, causing the vibration to add to the delicious sensations. Sensations that tipped me over the edge, for I couldn’t last like I wished. This time giving her no warning when I erupted into her mouth and forcing her to swallow me down. Something she did with a needy eagerness.
“My greedy little dancing girl,” I praised swiping the release off her lips and forcing her to suck it from my thumb like last time. I wanted her to taste it all and not miss a drop. A primal urge to brand her from the inside out. It was a carnal need that I knew would result in her taking my blood soon but not tonight. For in truth, I didn’t know how her human body would react and I wanted to be assured that it would not cause any ill effects.
She was mine to protect.
Mine to love. To keep. To adore.
She also was…
Mine to play with.
25
CAUGHT RED HADED
ELLA 1799
The moment I move, I have to stifle a moan as my body ached in the most satisfying of ways, thanks to Jared and his ability to make me come more times than I thought myself capable of. But of course… he knew best.
Well, my sex definitely agreed with that statement, even if I was sore. Despite this, I stretch out like a contented cat and pushed past the part where my body begged me to stop. But then what felt like a lifetime of pain came rushing back and I found myself crying out for a different reason.
I need medication.
As it was clear to me now that I had been too long without his blood and therefore, I have been too long without a means to control my Gaucher disease and all its debilitating symptoms and repercussions of not having any treatment.
Basically, in a nutshell I was running out of time. Of course, what hadn’t helped was the promise Jared had whispered against my temple when he thought I was asleep,
His promise to never let me go.
But he must, as there was no other way of saving the Jared I loved from my future. There was no other way of saving myself right along with it, because even though he had hinted at me drinking from him, it was still yet to happen. Making me wonder what was holding him back?
“Stupid, Ella, he still doesn’t trust you, that’s why,” I complained aloud, being free to do so seeing as I woke to find Jared missing from our bed. How quickly it had become ‘ours’ opposed to just being ‘his’. I suppose that’s what happened when he flipped you on all fours and took you from behind like a wild beast as you begged for more. Yep, my lady parts weren’t singing his praises now, were they…? Okay, so yeah they were, but I was still sore.
I wondered where he could be but more than anything, how long it would be until he came back. And for a moment, the thought was simply because I missed him. But then I remembered that it was in this very room that he had stored the coin I had stolen, and my mind suddenly flew into overdrive. Hence why after one last unsure look at the door, I threw back the covers and then made a quick, fumbled attempt of getting dressed. This after having the fastest pee in history. I also ignore the fact that I spotted food covered in silver domes on the table, and instead of running to the table I instead made my way to the wall I knew the box was hiding in.
I didn’t know how much time I had and therefore the thought of being caught made my hands shake as I reached for the loose piece of stone. I placed it down on the sideboard like he had done and pulled the box from its hiding place. I instantly recognized it as being the same one Orthrus had opened when giving me my first coin so as I could escape.
The miniature treasure chest was ornamented with strips of spiked metal that curved over the top. As for the wood in between, this had been carved with symbols I had no hope to understand, I just knew these were the key to opening it… that, and my blood.
Which meant that I did the same as he had that day, now slapping my hand down on the top and making the spikes dig in deep. This meant that soon my blood was flowing enough so as I could bleed all over the symbols, making streams of crimson travel their way into the lock. I also wondered why Jared hadn’t done the same as I remember him raising his hand to his lips to bite to get the blood flowing, and I wondered if this was so he could hide the way for me opening it.
“Fuck! This is getting old now!” I complained as I waited for the box to open.
“Yes, yes!” I shouted when I heard the lock turning. However, the moment I was free to flip the lid, I was left to only stare down at the box in horror.
“It’s empty,” I muttered to myself in shock. However, what shocked me even more was when a voice answered me from behind,
“I know… I had them moved.” I froze and mouthed a silent ‘oh shit’ down at the box before slowly closing the lid. Then because I knew that I had no choice, I turned to face the consequences of what I had just done. I swear but the look on his face nearly crushed me.
“After everything we shared, you still try and steal from me?” I deserved that, flinching as the first lash whipped at my heart. Question was, how many more could I take before I crumbled and broke down with the truth?
“I didn’t… I mean, I was trying to… it’s not how it looks.” I settled with this, making him roar,
“Stop lying to me!” I flinched back and dropped the box, seeing my blood spill and pool to the floor. I couldn’t help but fist my hand, needing the pain to center me, only he looked to where it dripped from beneath my fingers and just like that, he was storming his way inside. I backed up as much as I could, despite knowing it was a hopeless endeavor, as his furious strides ate up the distance in seconds. Then he took my wrist and snatched my hand up, pealing back my fingers and seeing the damage for himself.
The first sight of my blood and he lost it. His eyes started to glow molten silver as his fangs grew in an angry snarl before deciding he wouldn’t waste the meal. He brought my hand to his face and licked me clean, his furious gaze never once leaving my one of both shock and fear. However, the moment it had healed, and the blood was consumed, he let go of my hand with an abrupt movement before stepping away from me. He then ran his hands over his head, pushing back the hair that freely hung loose around his face and shoulders.
“How could you do this…? How could you betray me yet again?!” he snapped, making me sniff back my tears. He looked at this release of emotion as yet another betrayal, and I was helpless to argue my point. So, in the end I went with a slither of the truth,
“I have to go home.” At this he roared and, in his anger, he flipped the table so it crashed into the wall. Sequentially food flew in the same direction, hitting surfaces like edible shrapnel.
“NO!” His Demonic tone vibrated off the stone hard enough that little clouds of dust floated down from the ceiling.
“You don’t understand, if I don’t, then all is lost.” He started shaking his head and told me harshly,
“There is nothing left for you to say, for there is nothing left for me to believe!”
“Then there is no point to any of this,” I stated, making him growl.
“No, for I will never get the truth from you, this much is clear now. But there is yet still one person who knows it all and I will beat it from his dying lips if I have to!” he snarled, now walking to the door and fully intent on taking his rage out on Marcus.
“You promised!” I reminded him, making him freeze at the threshold.
“Well, it seems as if between us, promises are always meant to be broken.” Then he started to walk through the door, and I had finally hit my limit on keeping the truth from him. I had no choice but to break my vow, only this time, it was the one I had made myself.
“Fine, I will tell you!”
“Tell me what exactly, for there is nothing you could say to save yourself the…” I rushed ahead and irrevocably told him…
