Atlantean's Quest 5: The Dark King Read online

  She slipped her fingers back inside her moist entrance.

  Let me fuck you. It was a dark request, especially given what he'd just done to punish her, but Hades couldn't resist. If he could not have her body beneath his, this would have to be the next best thing. His beast growled its dissension.

  She didn't answer with words, but Taylor did move her fingers out of the way. Hades focused hard, while his shaft threatened to burst. He sent the image of his cock sliding through her folds, filling her, stretching her, until she could feel nothing but him surrounding her. The surge of satisfaction he received when she relaxed was palpable.

  He rocked his hips, slowly at first as he imagined the feel of her tight channel gripping him. Taylor's little moans filled his mind. Hades closed his eyes and tried not to think about the feel of the real woman or he'd lose himself. Instead, he focused on her pleasure. His claws retracted and he reached out to the air as he imagined, swirling his fingers around her clit, teasing her, drawing out her need.

  Taylor's body quivered and Hades rocked faster. Her breathing was coming in gasps now. He could hear the sound echoing inside his head and feel her tightening around him. She was so close to release that he could taste it. His tongue swirled around his lower lip as he latched onto her nipple and drove himself deeper 'inside' of her.

  He felt the beginnings of a shudder. His breath caught. The shudder was followed by a low keening cry as Taylor fell apart. Hades' body jerked as she came, the physical reaction yanked him out of her mind, leaving him momentarily dazed. He tried to get back in, but her mind was closed off. He longed to feel the connection they'd shared, even if it were only for a minute more. Blackness met him.

  "No!" He cursed as the stone hall came back into focus. The expletive was followed by a groan of frustration as he glanced down at his straining shaft. He hit the wall once more, punishing rock, punishing himself for being so stupid, then he grasped his cock and shoved it back into his pants.

  ***

  CHAPTER SIX

  Hades spent a restless night reliving his moments with Taylor in her bath. Eventually he'd grown tired of his wayward thoughts and gotten up. If sleep wasn't an option, then he might as well work. He was peering over his Kingdom's ledgers, when a knock sounded on his chamber door at dawn.

  He scrubbed a hand over his tired face and slowly rose to his feet. "Enter," he said.

  A guard stepped inside his chambers. "Sorry to disturb you so early, Your Highness, but Phantom Warrior Linx is here. He’s being quite insistent that he see you immediately."

  Hades frowned. What was Linx doing here? He wasn't supposed to return for another six days. Had he already gotten King Eros' permission for Taylor to stay? It seemed unlikely given the amount of trouble the cat went through to secure her a spot in the Keep, but why else would Linx be here other than to take her back to New Atlantis with him?

  The thought nearly caused a blood vessel to burst inside Hades' skull. A sudden surge of panic nipped on its heels. Both reactions were unexpected and entirely unwelcome.

  He sighed. Wasn't he just telling himself last night that the sooner she was out of his care the better? Hades should want Taylor gone. And he did. Really. She’d managed to engage him, enrage him, tempt him and shame him, and it had only been twenty-four hours. He wasn’t sure he would survive a whole week with her.

  Let the cat take her and be done with her distracting ways.

  Even as the thought slipped through his mind, Hades knew he couldn't let Taylor go. Not yet. Not after the intimacy their minds had shared last night. He needed more. Hades braced himself. "Show him in."

  Linx stepped through the door and gave the guard a knowing smirk. "Told you, he'd see me." The cocky cat strolled into the room with not a care in the moons.

  "What do you want?" Hades asked, his face a mask of boredom, despite the unease churning inside of him.

  Linx arched a brow. "What do you mean what do I want? I came here as fast as I could.”

  What in Zaron’s stars was he talking about? Hades took a deep breath and mentally counted to five. "I have no time for your games, Linx," he said. "State your business and be gone."

  Linx’s eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t know why I’m here. Do you?” Amusement laced his words.

  Hades’ gaze narrowed, his temper made short through lack of sleep. “If I knew, then I wouldn’t have asked.”

  “Interesting…” The damn cat looked as if he were ready to burst out laughing.

  If he did, Hades’ claws would be around his throat before he could gasp for air.

  Linx must’ve sensed the danger he was in because he hurriedly added, "I'm here to retrieve Taylor. She sent word last night to come and get her. I have to admit that I’m surprised. I thought she’d at least make it a few days with the Dark King.” He shrugged. “But if she’s calling for help after one day, then staying here is really not an option. I'll have to see if I can find her a Phantom to bunk with in New Atlantis. I'm sure one of the warriors wouldn't mind sharing his bed with her." It was a deliberate taunt. One Hades should ignore, but couldn’t.

  He felt heat building inside of him. The room went red a second before his beast struck. Claws sprang from his fingertips and he heard his shirt rip as his Other burst through his skin.

  Linx ignored the sudden change like it was something that happened to him everyday and scanned the shelves that held Hades’ favorite reading material. "I'd assumed that you had told her to call," he said absently, then glanced at Hades, before going back to perusing. "I see now that Taylor didn't tell you." Had Linx been in his Other form his tail would've twitched. As it was, he grinned knowingly.

  Hades’ gnashed his teeth. "You assumed wrong."

  Linx looked deceptively innocent. "I told her not to call unless things weren't working out between you two.” He tapped his chin. “I believe I used the word ‘emergency’."

  What had Taylor told him? What had she shared?

  The events from last night flashed through his mind. Hades felt the color drain from his face as he fell into a well of shame. He’d acted like a brute, giving Taylor multiple reasons to run. His beast receded, its sudden silence confirming his misdeeds.

  If she was truly upset, she should’ve come to him. Confronted him. Railed at him, before contacting Linx. Taylor had more fire than that. She was a fighter. He’d sensed it inside of her. So why hadn’t she? Hades flushed with newfound anger, determined to find out. Wait until he got his hands on that little minx.

  When Hades could speak without anger sharpening his words, he said, "I believe you've been misinformed. I told you that I would keep her for seven days to pay back my debt to you. My mind has not changed." His knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, but at least his claws were gone. "You may come back and retrieve her at that point, if King Eros wishes."

  "And what if he doesn't?" Linx asked. “What if he orders her to return to Earth?”

  Hades ignored the questions because he wasn’t ready to confront the answers. He continued on as if Linx hadn’t spoken. "Until then, Taylor shall remain under my protection. Are we clear?"

  Linx beamed. "Oh, I understand completely. The question is, do you?"

  "Get out!" Hades bellowed.

  The guard threw open the door and rushed inside, sword drawn.

  Linx held up his hands, but his grin never wavered. "I was just leaving. Don't get your uniform in a twist," he said. "See you in a few days, Your Majesty." He bowed. Hades heard him chuckle on his way out the door.

  The Dark King glared at Linx’s back until the cat was out of sight. Despite what he’d said to Linx, Taylor wasn't going anywhere until he deemed it so. Hades knew he was being unreasonable and abusing his power, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. "Bring me the Earth woman!"

  “What if she’s not awake?” the guard asked.

  “Then wake her! I want her brought to me immediately!”

  "Right away, Sire!" The guard bowed and swept from the room.

&
nbsp; ***

  Taylor stared at the communication device. From what she could tell, there hadn't been any messages left. Why hadn't Linx called her back? She'd expected to hear from him last night or at the very least first thing this morning. Did she somehow mess up the call? Maybe the device didn’t work.

  What do you expect from something shaped like a rock?

  Taylor had checked the device before she'd jumped in the shower, and checked it again when she got out. Nothing. No sound. No chirp. No message. Her towel was still wrapped snugly around her, when someone knocked on the door.

  "One minute, I'll be right there." Maybe Linx hadn't bothered to call back. Maybe he just came instead.

  She rushed to her closet, but before she reached it a guard she didn't recognize pushed the door open and entered her room. Taylor screamed and grasped her towel.

  The guard flustered and looked around. When he spotted no enemy, he said, "You need to come with me." His gaze caressed the bare skin sticking out beneath her short towel, but his grim expression never changed.

  "Let me get dressed first," she said.

  He shook his head. "No! Now!" He grabbed her arm and led her out the door.

  Taylor barely caught her towel before it hit the floor. "Where are we going that is so important that I couldn't get dressed first?"

  The guard glanced at her, but didn't slow his pace. "The King demands your presence."

  Taylor's heart jumped in panic. After his performance at the Pit and the daydream she'd had last night in her bathtub, the last thing she wanted was to face the Dark King.

  "Then I definitely need to get dressed first." No way was she facing Hades wearing nothing but a towel.

  Taylor dug in her heels, but the guard didn’t seem to notice. She might as well have been trying to stop a rhino with a butterfly net. The guard was on a mission and her wants and needs were not part of his vocabulary.

  They stopped in front of a massive set of double doors. The guard raised his fist and knocked.

  "Enter!" a booming voice called out.

  The guard pushed the doors open and shoved Taylor inside. She turned to follow him back out, but he closed the doors in her face. "This is ridiculous! If you need someone to watch you screw your girlfriend again, pick someone else."

  "Why in the Goddess did you contact Linx?" Hades bellowed, trampling her words.

  Had Linx called Hades first? Why would he do that?

  Taylor swung around to answer the King, only to discover that the corner of her towel was wedged in the door. The move ripped the towel away from her body, before she could catch it, leaving her naked.

  Hades' expression morphed from outrage to shock to desire in less time than it took her to gasp. Taylor turned and lunged for her towel. She tugged hard, but the material wouldn't budge. She covered herself with her hand, while she attempted to open the door. She hadn't heard Hades move, but she sensed the instant he was standing behind her. The raw heat from his body hit her like a volcanic eruption, making her melt inside.

  "Please leave it," he murmured in her ear. His warm breath teased the shell-like flesh and she quivered.

  Taylor didn't think the word 'please' left the Dark King's mouth often. That more than anything else stopped her.

  Hades' hands shook as they gently touched her bare shoulders and slowly turned her to face him. The red rings had returned to his eyes, nearly swallowing the blue. "I tried." He sounded ashamed. "You have no idea how hard I tried not to touch you." His mouth nuzzled her neck. "But I'm not strong enough. I need…I want..."

  She wanted, too.

  Taylor closed her eyes as the heat of his lips scorched her, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. Her traitorous body responded despite her resolve to change old behaviors. The release she'd found while fantasizing about Hades last night was still fresh in her mind. What would it feel like to really have his hands exploring her body? His mouth tasting her hidden places? His shaft touching her soul?

  She rose onto her toes, seeking his warmth, wanting his kiss, even though he’d never belong to her. Their lips met tentatively, a quick touch, an exchange of breaths. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. His sensuous mouth tempted her, demanded that she take more.

  Taylor reached for his neck and sank her hands into his thick hair. The strands were soft as silk as she threaded her fingers deeper, so she could pull him closer. The first press of his muscles made her weak in the knees. Hades groaned and his grip on her tightened. The embrace went from innocent exploration to inferno. Their tongues greeted, then began to dance.

  Taylor's body went up in flames as Hades yanked her against his hard length. One hand rose, winding its way into her long, red hair. His fingers tangled, then pulled gently. He held her exactly where he wanted her and deepened the kiss. This time Taylor moaned.

  The Dark King could kiss. She'd give him that.

  He explored her mouth with an expertise that only made her long for more. Taylor pulled at his clothing. How did this darn thing open? Last night, he'd made it look so easy. The thought gave rise to bitter memories. Taylor jerked her head back. They shouldn't be doing this.

  "No! Do not pull away." Hades refused to let her go. He growled and sought her lips once more. By the time he finished kissing her, Taylor was boneless and he’d managed to change her mind, but only because she’d let him.

  "Take this off," she said, weakly tugging at his clothes.

  Hades complied instantly. One second his clothes were there, the next they were gone.

  "How did you?" She glanced at the floor, but his clothing was nowhere in sight.

  "Later." Hades took her hand and led her into another room that held a massive bed made up of a pile of furs that would've given animal right's activists an apoplexy. The furs were stacked over three feet high and ten feet wide and took up most of the room. Hades didn't give Taylor time to look around. He picked her up and carried her over to the furs and gently laid her down.

  Taylor expected him to follow, to immediately thrust inside of her like he had Opal, but he didn't. He simply stared at her like he'd never seen a woman before. The intensity of his gaze made her nervous. "Hades?"

  "Let me look at you. Smell your delicious fragrance. Savor this moment." The Dark King looked pained as he stared down at her. The longing in his eyes seared her soul.

  A dangerous feeling rose inside of Taylor, it was that same emotion she'd vowed to ignore for a while. She couldn't go down this road again. She'd promised herself that she wouldn’t fall for another bad boy. This was just sex. This had to be just sex.

  "I imagined what you'd look like lying amongst my furs, but my fantasies paled by comparison to the real thing," Hades said. "You are exquisite."

  Taylor didn't think her body could get any hotter, but she was wrong. Hades reached for her foot and gently kissed the bottom of her sole. A shiver tracked through her leg, settling at the juncture between her thighs. He kissed her again and ran his tongue along her arch. Taylor giggled and tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her.

  "I need to taste you. Every inch of you." Hades nibbled on her ankle, then rained kisses upon her leg. He worked his way up one leg and down the other. He was patient, attentive, and far too thorough a lover for her piece of mind. Yet he avoided the places that needed him most.

  Oh he was good, so very good.

  That careful avoidance only ratcheted up her need, driving her into frenzy. When Taylor thought she couldn't take another second, Hades flipped her onto her belly and kissed his way up the back of her legs. Her sex grew moist as he neared her bottom. He had to smell her. Heck, she could smell the musk rising from her skin and she wasn't even down there.

  ***

  Hades leaned over her and inhaled. Taylor smelled so rich, ripe, and sensual. He'd never tasted skin like hers and he doubted he ever would again. The round globes of her bottom jiggled beneath him. Hades couldn't resist taking a small bite, careful not to break the skin. She squealed as his sharp teeth latched onto her, then burst
into laughter.

  "Stop that." She swatted at him, but he easily avoided her half-hearted blow.

  "A King doesn't take orders," he said. "Besides, I needed to see if you tasted as good as you smelled."

  She glanced over her shoulder. "And do I?"

  "Better," he said, meaning it. Hades continued his journey, this time exploring her back.

  The Dark King never realized how much restraint he had until this moment. All he wanted to do was bury his nose in her moist sex and lap up her juices for hours. He longed to taste her release on his tongue, feel her clit swell beneath his teeth, and plunge into her depths. But he wouldn't. Not yet. Taylor was the type of woman meant to be savored.

  He kissed her shoulder blades, then nibbled on her fragile neck, licking and sucking on the tender flesh. The tendon jumped when he touched it. Hades focused on the taut muscle, feeling it flex beneath his mouth. One bite would be all it would take. One bite would change both their destinies. He felt his incisors grow along with the urge to mark her, and quickly jerked his head away. What was he doing?

  Hades stared at the small purple blemish marring the base of her pale throat and shuddered at how close he'd come to sealing their fates.

  He shook his head to clear it and slowly kissed his way down Taylor's supple spine, away from temptation. "Spread your thighs for me. Your delicious scent is driving me crazy. I want to taste you. I want to bury my face in the dew, dripping from your soft curls."

  Taylor reacted in an instant. Her legs parted so wide that at first he was shocked, then Hades remembered that she was a dancer. He'd researched the meaning after she'd explained what she did. He'd seen her 'dancing' in her thoughts, but for some reason he couldn't believe it, even when faced with the facts. Hades was still angry over the idea of other men staring at her naked body. He didn't think that would ever change, but looking at her now he realized her skills held a lot of possibilities.