Pic above: Killian

Chapter dedicated to Indeedfinesir. You are an angel for reading and sneaking up on the Vote button! lol

Chapter 118 – Measuring Dicks – Cage's POV

I traveled a well-worn path inside of my cramped cell, suffocating the almost continuous growls of frustration that kept climbing up my throat.  Round and round, I paced. The bare concrete walls, reinforced with silver, slipped away from my attention, fading into the background of my mind, as my brain swirled with more important matters. Escaping. Freeing Raine. Killing Marku.

Every molecule inside of me quivered with anticipation, threatening to explode into violence. Glorious violence. I thirsted to unleash a thunderstorm of blood, destroying everything and everyone in my path. But I tamped it down. I had to be smart. I couldn't go off half-cocked. Or we would end up in an even worse situation.

I ground my teeth together, remembering our capture.  We had been ambushed by Marku's forces, but it had quickly become apparent they were not fighting to kill, just to restrain us. Even still, we had taken out quite a few of them before reinforcements arrived and there were too many to overcome. But why the restriction of lethal force?  Clearly, strategy was in play here, but what was Marku's end game? 

Keeping me alive made sense because my death would catapult Raine into devastating pain, highly counterproductive to him having his way with her. I bit down hard on my lip, causing blood to escape the sliced flesh. Bastard. I spit the blood from my mouth. But that didn't explain why Marku had chosen to spare Echo and his men. I had been locked in one cell, while they were contained in the cell next to me.

I growled, "Killian!"

Killian was the warden in Marku's jail – and a dark faerie. I was surprised at Marku's choice for such a critical position. Fae were unpredictable at best and couldn't be fully trusted. And those were the good ones. Dark fae were even less reliable and a hundred times more dangerous. But if Marku had found a way to guarantee Killian's loyalty, he was undoubtedly a significant hurdle to overcome in securing our escape. Primarily because he was impervious to compulsion. 

The male sauntered over to my cell, an ever-present glint in his amber glowing eyes.  Fae were drawn to trouble and mischief, like a moth to a flame, so I just needed to rile him up a little bit. Yesterday, he had made some mysterious and cryptic comment about 'meeting our fates in three days'. I needed more information.  I had a plan to get us free, but I had to know what was going on with Raine first.

Killian wasn't affected by my compulsion and no other guard was allowed within hearing distance to me. It was Marku's protection against me compelling one of them to open the cells. I smirked because Marku had no idea I could compel without speaking. I had never known a vampire with the skill either, and had been shocked as hell when I realized it during Talon's day long oral-sex-fest with Ivy. Talon had frozen, and I had spoken directly into his mind, forcing him to do my will.

When the time was right and Killian was gone, I would compel one of the guards to open the cells. I hated delaying my action when every fiber in my body wanted to hunt Marku's ass right that instant. But I would only get one shot at it. If we tried and failed to escape, he would tighten security measures, making another attempt impossible.

I sneered, "Tell that coward boss of yours to face me like a man!"

Killian chuckled, the muscles in his bare abdomen clenching and releasing with the movement, enjoying my anger. "You may just get your wish sooner than you think." 

Again with the cryptic answers.  I snarled, "What the hell does that mean?  Is the pussy going to see me or not?!"

Killian had no other words of wisdom for me. Instead, he stretched his midnight wings lazily and laughed as he walked away.

Fuck. He gave me almost nothing to go on, but his words had sounded promising. Sooner than I think?  Did that mean Marku planned on accommodating my demand for an audience shortly?

Abruptly, a scent so powerful, overwhelmed me, leaving me frozen in place – Raine!

A second later, she came into view. Just seeing her face caused me to feel like a thousand pounds had been lifted from my shoulders. But her eyes were tight and her lips pursed into a thin hard line. My glance shifted to Marku, who walked in behind her. He was smirking like he had a secret. One I wasn't going to like. Fuck. I readied myself for the conversation, locking down my emotions and responses.

Talon came through the door last holding a leash on a naked and collared pet. Seraphine. Why had Raine brought her down here? Was she just toting her around to keep her under her watchful care? The woman glared at me, but her eyes shifted to fear when she looked at Echo and his men. Interesting.

I was silent. First rule in successful negotiation...let the other party show their cards first.

Raine broke free from his side and bolted toward me. Before I could warn her not to touch the silver bars, Marku grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back to him.

I growled loudly.

She snapped her head around to face him and snarled, "Take your hands off me!"

He loosened his grip, but his grin widened. I recognized his look of victory. I had seen it countless times before. Here it came. The part I was dreading, but also the part I desperately needed to know. He drawled, "Tsk, tsk...you forget, love, our agreement allows me to indulge in your naked body and touch you however I like."

She cringed and spun back to face me, her eyes silently pleading with me to understand.

What the fuck?!

What had she agreed to?!

Adrenaline pounded through my head.

The air was thick. I clenched and unclenched my fists.

Raine remained quiet, biting her lip, leaving Marku to happily fill in the blanks. "She may be mated to you, but like it or not, I know what her body truly needs and desires. She has graciously given me three days to prove it."

Three days. Killian had said I would know our fate in three days.

"So, you agreed to have sex with him?!" I nearly shouted. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "How the fuck does that help?!"

"What?! No!" she gasped. "That is the condition, the test. He is allowed to..." her voice dropped, "...touch me...and I just need to refuse to let him penetrate me. Easy..."

She pulled her lower lip into her teeth. Her expression told me it hadn't been easy at all. But I already knew that. As a human, she hadn't been able to stop her body from experiencing pleasure. Now, she was a vampire, which meant she had significantly less inhibitions and every cell in her body was hyper-sensitive. Fuck, she had no idea what gamble and risk she had agreed to. I shoved back a growl and clarified, "Just penetration with his cock is off limits? Everything else is permissible?!"

Instead of directly answering, she whispered, "It's just three days. By tomorrow night...we will all be free to go."

I could barely spit out the words.  "What happens if you lose and allow him to penetrate you?"

She flinched and twisted her hands together. "I agreed to stay for a...year. But everyone else, you, Echo and Queen Ileana, are free to go, regardless."

I couldn't speak.

I was furious.

Furious with her and furious with him.

But more than either of them, I was furious with myself.

My capture forced her hand into this ridiculous arrangement. She had bartered her body for my freedom. Of course, she would do that. Fuck. If we made it out of this, I would spend an eternity trying to make this up to her.

Marku wasn't done goading me. "Don't worry, I am taking very good care of her. She purrs like a kitten...and tastes delicious." He ran his tongue along his lips, his fangs gleaming.

Fucker! 

Raine cringed again.

Oh, hell no. I might have been locked in a cell, but I wasn't going to give him a damn bit of satisfaction over me.

He wanted to measure dicks.

So be it.

My lips curled into a wicked grin. "Let me get this straight. You went down on her and she came?"

He eyed me warily, thrown off by my arrogant expression and snapped, "Of course, she came."

I snorted, "Interesting. Did she happen to touch you?  Did she wrap her lips around your cock or scream your name?" 

He knew where I was going now. His eyes narrowed. A muscle in his jaw clenched.

"Hmm...no, I think she didn't. Once again, you seem to be giving and getting nothing in return," I taunted. "You see, you will never have what I have. You will never feel her greedy little hands wrapped around your cock. You will never see her on her knees in front of you, begging to let her taste you...because she loves how you feel on her tongue and sliding down her throat."

Raine stared at me with wide eyes, and confirmed my words when the scent of her arousal filled the room. I smirked and raised an eyebrow.

A low growl released from Marku's chest. His eyes darkened as he remarked, "Our arrangement doesn't specify any location is off limits." He snaked one arm around her back and the other slid into her hair at the nape of her neck, pulling her head back and exposing her throat to him. "I think now might be the perfect time to begin the evening festivities. You can watch and give me pointers." He glanced up at me with a feral grin.

Fuck. I wasn't sure if I could keep my cool, if I had to watch him touch her.

Raine jerked back hard, but not quite out of his grip. Her eyes blazed blue and she snarled, "You try that shit, and you will have a fight on your hands like you have never had before!"

He hesitated, surprised by the intense color in her irises.

Suddenly, Killian rounded the corner, his black wings tense and twittering. His golden eyes glowed even brighter as he took in the scene.  He froze for just an instant when he saw Raine, his eyes flickering in confusion...or was that recognition?  Gone was his earlier mischievousness, replaced with malice and danger in the deep timbre of his voice. "Is there a problem?"

Shockingly, he appeared angry with Marku.

What the hell? 

Did Killian know Felaern?

Marku looked equally surprised, and slowly released Raine, his features calming into less of an oncoming storm. He spoke through his teeth with feigned lightness, "Of course, there is no problem. Get back to you post."

Killian waited another moment, seemingly assessing for himself, and then turned on his heel and disappeared. Raine took over the conversation, steering it in a less volatile direction. "Echo, I have a little gift for you and your men."

Talon jerked on the leash, forcing the naked female forward.  She yelped as the silver collar seared her flesh. I couldn't see Echo's expression, but his tone held surprise. "Yes, my lady. What would you like done with her?"

Raine replied coldly, "Everything...you can think of. Do not leave anything out. Do not hold back. Show no mercy. I want her to feel every bit of 'pleasure' she forced on her pets. Except do not kill her. I am not done with her yet."

"Indeed," Echo purred.

There were several growls of anticipation in the cell.

Talon gave her chain another hard pull, yanking her directly to the bars. She trembled from head to toe. Marku gave an order, and the door opened partially. She dug in her heels, refusing to go in, until Talon gave her a harsh shove.  She stumbled into the cell and spun to face him. "Talon, please...please don't leave me!  Don't let them do this to me!  Please!!" she cried desperately.

Raine stepped forward and said sweetly, "If Talon agrees, I will return you to your cell in Tobias' room right now. It is completely up to him."

Talon stared at Seraphine, his face completely impassive. And then he turned around and walked away.

Seraphine screamed, "Go on, then! Hide behind your bitch!"

Shockingly fast, Talon spun and darted back to the cell, reaching through the bars to wrap his hand around Seraphine's neck. He jerked her body forward until she was flush against the silver bars. The skin on her body burned where flesh met silver and her screaming intensified.

Talon growled, "Until my last breath, I will be loyal to Queen Raine, but make no mistake, I am not weak anymore. It has only been at her request that I do not destroy you. She doesn't want me to lower myself to having to touch your disgusting filth."

He dropped his hand and a resounding thud hit the floor in Echo's cell as Seraphine's body hit the cement. She whimpered and cried.

I was astonished when Raine didn't even blink an eye. There had to be much more to the story to make her that cold. Shit. Raine's expression did relax when she turned to face me. She held out a hand, but didn't come close to the bars as she whispered, "Tomorrow night, we will leave...I promise..."

I nodded as she turned to leave.

Knowing the difficulty of the challenge she faced tonight and tomorrow night, I only hoped she could keep that promise...