Veronica.
“That’s the tenth soldier you’ve killed this week,” Oberon muttered in disgust behind me.
His disapproval was palpable, and without turning around, I knew his face would be etched with a deep frown, his arms crossed in condemnation.
I finished draining the life force from my victim, watching with detachment as the color drained from his skin, leaving him pale and dry.
The husk of a body crumpled to the ground, fragile as a porcelain doll. Turning around, I flashed Oberon a saccharine smile, reveling in his discomfort. His frown deepened, eyes narrowing.
“It’s all necessary to keep the darkness at bay,” I said, my voice dripping with sweetness. I strolled towards him, my boots echoing in the ragged tent.
Oberon’s displeasure was almost palpable, his hostility simmering just below the surface.
Muttering through gritted teeth, he growled, “You said this arrangement would benefit both of us, yet I’m still waiting to see these so-called benefits.”
His words dripped with venom, and I cocked my head to the side, intrigued.
“What do you mean you’re yet to see the benefits?” I asked, my tone deceptively calm. A spark of anger ignited within me, but I kept it carefully banked.
“Did I not attack Hermes for you?” I continued, my voice laced with subtle menace.
“If I recall correctly, I delivered a fatal blow that would have killed him.”
Oberon’s face twisted in rage. “Fatal blow, my foot!” he spat.
“The bastard is still alive!” His eyes blazed with fury, and for a moment, I thought he might lunge at me. But he restrained himself, barely. The tension between us was palpable, a living, breathing thing. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his reaction.
“He’s on his way here, so what kind of fatal blow is that?” Oberon snarled, closing the distance between us. His anger was palpable, eyes blazing with frustration.
I let out a sigh, maintaining a neutral expression while my mind raced. How was this possible? The blow was supposed to kill him. Except, of course…
Lienna. That healing wench! She must have healed him just in time. To Oberon, I offered a reassuring smile and walked past him.
“Let’s just say he got lucky last time,” I said, my tone dripping with confidence. “Don’t worry, I’ll ensure he doesn’t survive the next attack.”
Oberon’s scoff was immediate, his glare piercing. Tension radiated off him in waves, his body coiled and ready to strike.
I purred, moving closer, eliminating the space between us. My hand slid up his chest, feeling his muscles tense beneath his clothes. “Wipe that frown off your face, will you?” I whispered. “I promise, everything will be fine.”nOberon’s eyes narrowed, but his anger slowly dissipated.
“Despite this…” I continued, my voice husky.”We should still be cautious.” I tilted my head, studying him. “You said they’re on their way here, right?”
“Well, are you ready for them?” I asked, keeping my gaze on him.
Oberon growled, his confidence unwavering. “Of course! Why would I let them catch me unaware?”
A smile spread across my face at his conviction. “This is why I like you,” I whispered, looking up at him.
His gaze locked onto mine, a spark of understanding passing between us. “If that’s settled…” I trailed off.
“How about we move on to other important things?” My voice dropped to a sultry whisper. “I need you.”
Oberon’s eyes flashed with desire, but he blinked and it was gone, replaced with frustration. “This again? Isn’t the blood you drained enough for you.” He growled, the air between us thickening one could almost cut it with a knife.
“That was to feed my hunger. This is to feed my lust. They work hand in hand, you see?” I muttered, my fingers danced up his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles.
“You’re always so ready for battle,” I whispered, running down my fingers down his chest, to his abdomen and finally, that special place. My smile widened when I felt it getting hard. “And I see to you’re ready for me too. That part of your isn’t refusing.”
“That’s because you’re a witch who has managed to bewitch it.” He growled, his voice thick with lust. I leaned in even more, unwilling to tear my gaze away from him. I was getting there.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” My breath caressed his ear, sending shivers down his spine. Oberon’s gaze locked onto mine, his pupils dilating. His hands hovered at his sides, as if itching to grab me. I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against his.
My tongue teased his lower lip, and he groaned. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a crushing embrace. Our lips clashed, the kiss fierce and demanding. The world around us melted away, leaving only the thrum of desire. In this moment, nothing else mattered.
Not Hermes. Not Lienna. Only the two of us, lost in the inferno of our passion. As we broke apart for air, Oberon’s eyes blazed with hunger. “I’ll take care of Hermes,” he growled.
“And then I’ll take care of you.” My smile was a promise.
Oberon lowered himself, muttering against my lips as he claimed it once more. “I’m counting on it.”
.
.
.
Hours later, after we’d indulged in our carnal desires and left each other completely sated, I stared at the tent’s canvas ceiling, breathing softly. Oberon snored away beside me, fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
I felt the darkness within me recede into the background, its insistent pull momentarily sated. I let out a deep breath, feeling a semblance of control return.
I’ll be able to last longer this way. With a fluid motion, I slipped out of the cot, grabbing the half-empty wine bottle as I went to cleanse myself.
The wine’s bitter taste lingered on my lips as I took a swig, feeling its warmth spread through my veins. I dropped to a corner of the tent, where a bowl of water and a clean towel awaited. Dipping the towel into the cool water, I began to clean my body, washing away the sweat and remnants of our passion.
As I scrubbed my skin, I allowed the anger simmering beneath the surface to bubble up. He thinks I’m not doing enough? If I didn’t need his help so desperately, I would have killed him off a long time ago.
And Hermes… Still alive. Lienna. That witch. Why doesn’t she ever die? A snarl twisted my lips. Well, this time she won’t escape. I’m ready for her. Bring everything you’ve got. You will meet death at my hands.
I snickered, taking another swig from the wine bottle.
I can’t wait to see you.