Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
I let the suggestion hang in the air. In the silence, a revulsion twists in my gut. It sickens me to think of her indulging herself with another man, but such measures are necessary. Persephone cannot be allowed to think she is here to be worn to nothing. I want her to play… even in my absence. The thought of men with her, pleasing her, softening and warming her, it gave me great pleasure before this moment. But as the words escape, I question them. What possessiveness has come over me that I would selfishly hold her to a standard I do not express myself?
The only part of her I wish to break is her willful resistance to her own power. I want Persephone to be free of the lies others have told her. I want her to be free to dwell in her power.
I want her craving the pleasure I intend to give her. If she does not crave me at this moment, she may crave others.
For a moment, Persephone does not understand. She looks at me, her eyes wide, confusion darkening their color.
Then my offer becomes apparent, and a fresh blush spreads across her cheeks.
“I offer myself,” one of my guards says, his voice calm and quiet, though of course I can hear the arousal underneath his breath. Anger bristles through me. Who would not be aroused by my Persephone? A gorgeous Goddess or rare balance. It would be a rare person indeed. He does not step forward, but he is ready—if I gave the order, he would be with her in moments.
Dressed in armor, their presence is for protection but her desires are to be met with enthusiasm, my orders.
"No," Persephone says quickly almost with shock as well as fear, then clears her throat. I give no sign of how this pleases me to hear of their denial but still the thought lingers, she is not educated in the pleasures of flesh.
Is this because Persephone has decided to submit to me? Is it because, in her most secret heart, she has given into her desires? I do not know, but I do not give any sign of my speeding heart, nor the flicker of pleasure I feel at her words. "No, thank you, but no."
“The offer stands if you change your mind,” I state easily although every nerve ending in me lights aflame. I need her to desire these things.
She casts her eyes back to the floor and swallows hard. Minox I believe was right in his suggestion. After all, the offerings have been accepted in her loneliness.
Yes. I do think Persephone has eaten. If she hadn’t, she would not be capable of such a deep flush. She would be too weak to stand for as long as she has.
Perhaps she would eat out of my fingers. If not now, then soon.
I am not used to such powerful feelings of impatience, but Persephone inspires them in me.
Still, I keep them on a close leash. I want, very much, to run the pad of my thumb over the deep blush on her cheeks, but I do not. I bide my time, waiting, letting the tension between us increase.
I have not told anyone how strong it has become. I will not tell Persephone that, even now, a current pulls me to her. I am strong enough to resist…for the time being.
As much as I want to touch her, I want her to beg me first. I stand a short distance away, my guards behind me, just outside the door at either side of me, and wait.
Until Persephone lifts her eyes again, daring to meet mine for only a moment or two. It is a breathtaking sensation, and it is only her gaze connecting with mine. It feels like breathing deeply for the first time in months. It feels like bloodlust, only it is not a desire to kill or maim. I feel a deep desire for pleasure and to pleasure her in return.
“Your guards will escort us today.” I take one step nearer to her and watch her chest rise and fall faster, though she tries to hide it from me. Her instinct is to pull back initially. I despise it. She cannot hide anything from me. Not here. Not when I spend every waking moment thinking about the pink color on her cheeks and the curves of her body when she moves against me in her sleep. “Although I’m sure they are unneeded, given your state.”
The corner of Persephone's mouth twitches with disgust at my comment. Her eyes flicker down to the floor and to the left. She is ashamed, but she is angry as well. The two emotions warring in her are obvious.
She should be ashamed for neglecting herself so. A Goddess such as Persephone, with so much power just outside of her reach, should be ashamed at her inability to see what I’m offering her. Her power and mine. A crown for her head and a place at my side.