Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Renee cocks her head. “You were singing.”
“I was not.” I try to look fierce and hope she doesn’t notice how, though I am silent, the tune plays on in our bond.
“It sounds like a song back on Earth. A Christmas song. Let it snow,” she trills.
“It is definitely not an Earth song.”
“I know that.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway. I have an idea for today.” When I arch an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue, she claps her hands. “Let’s go on an adventure!”
She’s so adorable, prancing around the table. I toss the scroll I was holding—unread—onto the nearby pile. “Where do you wish to go?”
“Could we leave the castle?”
I stiffen, my wings quivering. Is this how it begins? Is she trying to leave? I rub my chest. No. She said we. My tail snakes out to circle her ankle and draw her close, tugging gently so she doesn’t trip. She lets me guide her into my lap.
“Not for long. Just for a little while.” She plants her hands on my chest to relieve their chill. I cover them with one of mine.
“It’s not safe.” This morning her scent is light and soft as the snow that’s been falling. My body thrums with arousal, desire pulsing through my core.
“I’d be safe with you.” She relaxes against me, freeing a hand to toy with the beads in my beard. “Just a quick flight? I’ll be good.” She bites her lower lip and glances up at me from beneath her long lashes. “It’d be nice to get some fresh air.”
The dining hall windows frame Mount Vracor. I will it to smoke or spew lava, but it remains silent. “Very well.”
“Yay!” Renee slides out of my lap and does a little dance. Her breasts jiggle seductively beneath her flimsy gown. I watch her hungrily for a few moments before drawing her back.
“You will do as I say at all times.” My tail squeezes her leg. “You will remain still, and hold tight to me during our flight—do not let go, no matter what happens. Any deviation from those rules will be punished.”
“I understand,” she says. I raise a brow and she tacks on a hasty, “Master.”
I run a hand over her ass. “Then I agree to this outing. But later… once we return… you will spend the rest of the day showing your gratitude to me.”
Ulf, I adore the way her eyes darken when I command her. “How do you propose I do that?” Her voice is husky.
“I’m sure I’ll think of something. Several things. Depends on whether you behave. Are you going to be a good girl for me?”
She nods. Pressing her delectable body against mine, she reaches up and takes hold of the base of my right horn, sending a shiver through me. Her fingers are so small, they don’t reach all the way around. “Yes, Master. I’m always a good girl.” She lets out a little chuckle.
Her laughter is infectious and I can’t suppress a grin. “Unless you want to be spanked,” I counter in a low voice. “Then you’re more of a naughty one.”
Her green eyes are glittering as she gazes at me. “Maybe so. But you love it.”
“I do. Sometimes. On this occasion, however, I mean what I say: it’s very important that you obey the rules I set out. Am I clear? It’s for your safety.”
Renee presses a kiss to my cheek. There’s a delighted hum in the bond. “I understand,” she says. “I promise.”
“That’s my good girl.”
Less than an hour later, we’re standing on the ramparts of the second highest tower, overlooking the lava lake. The suns are out but the wind is fierce, buffeting the castle with gusts that would knock over a lesser being.
I keep my arms around Renee, my wings surrounding us like a shield. This part of the turret was specially designed for taking flight. There are no walls or crenellations to get in my way. Nothing to stop my pet from being blown over the edge.
“Ready?” I shout against the wind. She nods against my chest. I scoop her up and she threads her arms around my neck, as I ordered her to. She’s a snug bundle, wrapped up in the thick fur robes I conjured for her. There’s no way she can fall—I would never drop her—but I want her to cling to me all the same.
Her breath catches as I step to the edge. Instead of running to launch, I give a lazy leap and let my wings billow out as gravity pulls us down. We drift a moment before I catch the fine current that streams between the two lesser towers of my castle. I built the extra turret for this exact purpose—to channel the wind underneath this platform and make it easy for me to soar. My father would have scoffed and accused me of laziness, but it’s an easier and more enjoyable start to a flight.