Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Zhenya waves that away. “No mind-altering substances for our darling human, don’t worry. Rusalka wants you in your right mind—at least initially.”
I don’t know what to say to that, because Danik is here, pressing a flute of some bubbly liquid into my hand. I take a cautious sip. “Oh wow.” It’s as spicy as the air smells—almost painful on my tongue, but in a good way. It confuses me, so I take another drink. “What is this?”
“It has a lot of names, but it’s essentially faerie wine,” Danik says.
“Without all the fun side effects,” Zhenya cuts in, still sounding on the verge of laughter. “We do have the more interesting version, but it’s for special occasions.”
“That’s . . . nice.” I’m saved from saying something else by the doors opening again and another person coming through. This one is as short as me, with pale skin and deep-crimson hair and eyes. They smile sweetly at me, but my attention is caught by the person closing the door softly behind them.
Rusalka.
They look mouthwatering in a black dress as sheer as the overlay I’m wearing and in a similar style. The only difference between how we’re dressed is that there’s nothing underneath it.
Even as I tell myself to look away, I can’t help tracing the long lines of her body—so strong and beautiful—from the curve of her waist to the fullness of her breasts. I can see her nipples.
She crosses to me in a few smooth steps and takes my hands. “You look amazing, darling.”
I part my lips, but I can’t seem to speak.
Rusalka smiles. “Now that you’ve met Danik and Zhenya, let me introduce you to Inna. They’re the final member of my Insomnior Court, and I trust them all with my life—and yours. If you ever need something and I’m not available, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of them.”
I know I should be processing their words, but I’m so enamored with Rusalka’s beauty that I’m having a hard time following. “Oh.”
She squeezes my hands. “Come sit. Let us welcome you to the territory properly.” There’s a thread in their tone, something sensual and inviting, but I don’t know how to divine exactly what it means.
She leads me to a wide chair and, to my surprise and delight, sinks down next to me and drapes one long arm over the back of the chair. We end up pressed together from knee to shoulder, her warmth making me shiver. I glance up at her, but her attention is on the other three, her smile now soft and amused. “Shall we begin?”
“Don’t rush me.” Zhenya has a bit of a pout in zir voice, but ze rises and, with one practiced motion, drops zir robe. I can’t help my gasp as I stare at zir beauty. Gentle curves, stretch marks, dimpled skin, and a radiance that makes me dizzy. When I finally drag my gaze back to zir face, ze is grinning. “Oh, I like her.”
“Focus,” Rusalka says mildly.
Zhenya ignores her and strolls over to stand before me. Even this close, I can’t tell if ze smells different than the room or if zir proximity is increasing the clove scent hanging heavy in the air. Ze props zir hands on zir hips. “We’re going to have such fun together, Belladonna. Just wait.”
I don’t know if I’m supposed to notice zir genitals. I can’t help it. They’re directly even with my face, the apex of their thighs an invitation that the ugly little voices in the back of my mind are screaming at me to ignore. I clear my voice. “What . . . What should I . . . ?”
“Rusalka, she’s so polite.” Zhenya laughs, but it’s not like ze is laughing at me, more like ze is inviting me to be included in the joke. “May I?”
“Don’t ask me.” There’s a new edge to Rusalka’s voice. “Belladonna is our guest, and you are obviously intent on trampling on my plans for the night.” She waves a graceful hand, giving permission.
Zhenya leans down while gripping the back of the chair with one hand, bracketing me into my seat. “May I, Belladonna?” The playfulness hasn’t disappeared from zir voice, but there’s so much more there.
I don’t know what ze is asking me, but I suddenly want it desperately. “Yes.”
“Good girl,” ze purrs. Ze takes my hand and presses it to zir full chest. “Chest.” Ze pauses, as if waiting for me to pull away, but I’m mesmerized by zir softness. Ze slowly traces my hand down zir round stomach and stops just south of zir belly button. “Sex.”
“Oh.” I swallow past my suddenly dry throat. “Um, thank you.” Rusalka is right there, and I’m touching another person in a way that can’t be defined as anything other than sexual. I dart a look at her, but instead of looking jealous or angry, she seems . . . intrigued.