Dark Magic (The Chronicles of Arandal)

Chapter Four


Devon swallowed. She had lain in his arms, letting him do anything he wanted. And it had turned out to be what she wanted, although she hadn’t known what to ask for. Now she felt the need to return the favor.

“If you tell me what to do,” she answered, knowing how brazen that sounded.

He reached for her hand, pressing it against the rigid shaft that strained at the front of his leggings.

Her hand jumped as she felt the size of him, but she didn’t pull away.

“You can give me pleasure in the same way I gave it to you.”

She stroked him there, frustrated by the layer of clothing that covered him until he untied the front of his garment and guided her hand inside.

Her hand went rigid, then rested against his hot flesh, getting accustomed to the feel of him. It was like touching an iron rod with a silky covering. When she began to stroke him, he made a low sound of pleasure.

He pulled his placket open, so that his rod sprang out, standing away from his body like a pole.

“Why don’t the other men look like that?” she asked.

“They do—when they’re ready for sex.”

Fascinated, she sat up and leaned over to stare at him. His instrument was compelling. Commanding. Like the man himself. There was a bead of moisture at the end and she touched it with her finger.

“That looks like it would hurt,” she whispered.

“Is that how you think of sex—in terms of hurting?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Men are rough and impatient with women.”

“You heard that from the maids?”

She nodded, unable to say more.

“Only if the men they’re with are young and inexperienced. Or louts.”

He could have reached for her. Instead, he stayed on his back, his gaze burning into hers, and she knew he was still giving her a choice. What happened now was up to her.

“What should I do?”

“Clasp my cock in your hand.”

He sighed as she closed her fist around him, squeezing him gently.

“Harder.” He folded his fingers around hers, moving her hand up and down, and she understood what he wanted her to do. Leaning over him, she stroked him with vigor, feeling the skin slide up and down over the shaft.

Her gaze shifted between his face and his rod, as she tried to take in the whole experience, marveling at the intimacy of touching him that way.

Suddenly his body stiffened. As his cock jerked, white liquid pumped out, shooting in an arc.

He fell back against the covers, breathing hard, and she stared at him, amazed at what she had just done.

When he clasped her to him, kissing her, she snuggled against him, overwhelmed by the whole experience. Had they really done such things?

Or was this all a dream that she had fashioned for herself?

Was he even real?

If so, she wanted him to stay with her. More than that, she wanted him to tell her that he would spirit her away from the castle. He must have come from a place of safety. He could take her there.

In the next moment, shame washed over her. She was looking for an easy way out of the siege, but where would that leave her father’s people?

“How long can you stay?” she asked.

“A short while.”

“I wish…”

“That things were different,” he finished.

A question trembled on her lips.

“Can you tell me how to save the castle?” she asked.

“Like in the old myths?”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “What do you know about them?”

“I know that a dragon saved the kingdom long ago when it was in danger.”

“How?”

“The king brought him a virgin sacrifice.”

“Against her will.”

“How do you know?”

“I read about it in an old book.”

They stared at each other.

“It’s a myth,” she said. “A story of magic. And my father has forbidden magic in the kingdom.”

“Why?”

“He says it’s evil.”

“Is it?”

“I don’t know. But I know that anyone who is caught working a spell is put to death.”

“Pity.”

She swallowed, daring to say what had been in her mind since she’d first seen him. “The only way you could have come here is by magic.”

He shrugged. “You didn’t turn me away.”

“I should have.” She looked toward the door.

“Don’t bother calling for the guards.”

He was right.

“Did you come here to toy with me?”

“No,” he answered, but his voice told her otherwise. She had felt warm and safe with him. Suddenly her anger rose.

“You should leave.”

“If you wish.”

He climbed out of bed and pulled up his leggings. Then he pulled on his boots.

She wanted to ask him to stay, and at the same time, she wanted him to go.

He gave her a long look, waiting for her to say something more. When she stayed silent, he vanished. By magic. Yet he was real. He must be. The liquid that had spurted from him had left a stain on her covers.

She cleaned the stain with a rag and water from the washbasin.

Then she went to the window again, looking down at the sea of miserable humanity.

While she’d been enjoying herself up in her room, her father’s people had been suffering.

She was still standing by the window when a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

Brinna was back, with a sick expression on her face.