Page 26 of Bedeviled

I love you forever.

To my great horror, things are happening in me that shouldn’t. I don’t know why, but something about Memnon’s words paired with his devoted gaze, his pupils blown way out, has me shaking my head, trying to fight off whatever this is. But Memnon, damn that man, he’s a shark who’s scented blood.

“I do,” he insists, his hands threading through my own again, his thrusts building in tempo. “I love you so godsdamned much it should insult the gods. Pes udugab vesamapus.”

I am eternally yours.

“Memnon.” A tear leaks out.

I feel it—his love. Mine. I cannot even tell, only that right now, it’s more potent than even his endless power. And it’s all there, right between us.

Then the absolute worst thing happens.

I come.

I cry out, my legs tightening around Memnon’s waist as sensation floods through me, rippling across every nerve ending. My scheming, monstrous husband grins victoriously. The look is only softened by the honeyed sweetness in his eyes.

Say it again, he whispers across our bond.

I’m still reeling in the glow from my orgasm. That’s the only reason why I say, “I love you, est xsaya, est etap, est Memnon.”

My king, my husband, my Memnon.

It’s Memnon’s turn to tighten his grip on my hands as he swells inside me. And then he’s coming, his thrusts no longer controlled but deep, so unbearably deep that I cry out from the refractile pleasure of it, his orgasm echoing across our bond.

I’m breathing hard—I’d like to say from exertion, but I’d be a liar.

I’m freaked out.

I just orgasmed, mostly from my feelings.

I close my eyes and swallow.

Not good, not good, not good.

Memnon’s arms slide around my torso then, and he gathers me to him.

He strokes a hand from my shoulder blades to the swell of my ass.

Surely he can hear my thoughts. I’m sure that if I ever was shouting them, I am now.

“How sharp are your memories as Roxi?” Memnon asks.

I wet my dry lips, thankful for this bit of misdirection.

“Not very,” I admit.

“There was a time when all I could ever imagine was holding you,” Memnon admits. “I yearned for it for many, many moons. Once I had it, rather than satiating my craving for you, it only served to make my world come alive. Colors were more vivid, my magic more potent, my might greater, and my love ever deepening.”

My breathing evens out as I listen to him.

“I thought I’d have it all forever, but then I lost it.”

I feel his curdling horror across our bond. How swiftly and magnificently everything fell apart.

“Never again will I take the act of holding you in my arms for granted again.”

I bury my face in his chest, my heart beating like mad. I assumed I’d get a reprieve now that the sex was over. I assumed wrong.