Chapter 6
Xeraphine
The taste in my mouth is unpleasant, bitter, almost metallic. It feels like I haven’t moved my lips in years. As I part my jaw, my mouth is bone-dry and my tongue sticks to the roof like glue. The piercing tugs at the raw skin there and I’m certain that as it separates, I’m tearing some of it away with me.
I’m not sure how long it’s been since I was killed. The act of my death was so swift that it just confirms that I lost my head. As odd as it is to say, this isn’t a new one I’ve grown—my piercings on my tongue wouldn’t be here. I’d have a new everything, including hair. Some sick fuck probably sewed my head onto my neck and let the healing commence.
Trying to swallow is impossible, and although I don’t want to groan, one slips from my throat.
“She’s waking up…” I don’t need to see to know that it’s Lars talking. A gentle caress across my forehead draws my hair away from my cheek. “My sweet Xeraphine, I figured you would be asleep for longer, but how delightful we get a moment together while your eyes are open.”
As I move my head, I feel something cushioning me, but it’s not a mattress or pillow. Not all of my senses are functioning properly, because when I breathe in through my nose, I don’t smell anything.
“Can you speak?” His tender tone pisses me off. I’d rather him be screaming at me, not this gentle bullshit.
A pressure is applied to my shoulder, and it’s only now do I realize I’ve been resting on my side. My back thumps against the hard surface, my head slightly elevated.
His hand delicately cups my cheek, giving it a light pat. “Hello?”
I can hear you, you fucking asshole.
Peeling my eyes open, the crust that had built between them pulls at my eyelashes, tearing a few free. When I’m finally able to see, I recognize I’m resting in his lap, and heat rises in my throat. I’m staring up at the head I want to separate from its owner’s shoulders.
“D—” It doesn’t feel like my throat has fully healed; the sharp pain that slices through my vocal cords makes my body tremble.
“I don’t think I’m daddy material, sweetie.”
My teeth clench and I feel my molars crack. “F—” This pain as I try to form a single word makes my toes pinch.
He draws his fingers across the space between my lips, and I open to try to bite down. I’m too slow to even get it between my teeth before he clicks his tongue and moves his hand.
“Fuck…” I don’t care, pain is pain and it will go away. So even as it tears through my body like an erupting volcano, I push through. “Off.”
“I’ve missed you.” He ignores me, drawing his touch across my shoulder, down my arm, and to my wrist. It causes me to twitch, and that simple movement has me trying to raise my arm. “Your mother says we aren’t compatible, but I beg to differ.”
He leans closer, slipping his fingers through mine. His features come into focus—brown hair falling slightly over his face, and blue eyes that are patronizingly gentle. It all just pisses me off.
I need to stay angry because if I don’t, I’ll think beyond this moment. I’ll think about them, and I can’t afford to worry about where they are or how close they are to finding me. It’s crucial that I only focus on myself. That’s the only way I’ll make it out of here and get back to them.
Sydni… Mister… Kairhyse…
“Look how perfect our hands fit together, my Gods. I didn’t want to talk to your mother about how perfect your pussy takes my cock, but that alone writes of marriage. Like it was made for me.” He hums, and as he leans down further, I know he’s coming in to kiss me.
I don’t mean to do it, but I have no real control. So when I try to simply bite down on the tip of my tongue, I accidentally bite straight through it. It slips to the back of my throat, and I stifle the gag, forcing down the cough that threatens to escape.
When his lips meet mine, I open up, and he’s eager to oblige my invite.
“Oh—” It isn’t surprise that laces his tone when he pulls his tongue back. “How did you remember?” The hand that isn’t tightening around mine, moves and grabs my throat. “I love everything about you, including your blood. Do you remember when you’d piss, I’d?—”
I scream through clenched teeth, drowning out his words.
The moment mymouth opens to try and speak, he tightens his fingers, cutting off my oxygen. “I would love to have you control me. I’m into that freaky shit. Gag me, put me on my knees for you, but baby, we both know you’d kill me instead of putting us through pleasure.”
All of my muscles flex as the feeling of lightheadedness begins to creep in; A fog-like sensation fluttering over my eyes, heat building up toward my temples as he simply smiles.
My hand is in my field of view—I hadn’t even felt the sensation of lifting it, yet here it is, gripping his neck awkwardly. My thumb presses against his Adam’s apple, my nails trying to dig into the back of his neck, but it’s no use. I can’t even see the imprint of force on his skin.
He leans back away from me, and tilts his head to the side to kiss my wrist.
