T. Grey - Ties That Bind

Tyrian led him down a long corridor and to another smaller room that looked like a library. “Tell me everything,” he said.

Telal took a seat because he felt weak and recapped everything that happened starting with the attack at his home.

“These sound like specially trained assassins.”

“I think they are,” agreed Telal. “They were way too good to take out all of my guards. Those humans were ex-Special Forces, Rangers, and Seals. Not as impervious to damage like we are but skilled at what they do. They dropped like flies next to these demons.”

“Why do you think he wants you dead? You already told him you'd leave him alone.”

Telal shrugged and pressed his thumbs against his eye socket. A throbbing beat stamped against him in his skull and at his temples. The pressure in his head felt tight. “I don't know. He's different. He hates me too. My mother might have put him up to it. Maybe he feels threatened and wants to ensure he doesn't lose the throne.” God, he could never have believed how his brother turned out. Physically altered from the cruel life he'd led. His chest pulled tight and he refrained from burying his face in his hands like he wanted to. He didn't want to think of Alrik, couldn't without the guilt eating away inside of him.

“What are you going to do about it?”

A knock sounded at the door then Alpha Lyonis Keelan came in looking grim. He took a seat with them and leaned forward so his elbows rested on his knees.

“I'm on board for whatever you need, Telal.”

Telal cocked a brow in surprise. After the way he'd last treated the Alpha when his mate had gone missing, that surprised the shit out of him.

“Thank you,” he said finally. The words felt strange coming from his mouth even though he meant it.

Tyrian spoke carefully. “I believe we should be prepared for an attack. I think we should head in there and take out Alrik one way or another. If we catch him, we can subdue him and imprison him. You are the eldest brother and will rightfully gain the throne.”

Telal almost laughed. Subdue his brother? It had to be a joke. His brother was demented and would only give up with a fight to the death—he'd said so himself. Telal didn't know if he could wield the final blow that would end his brother’s life.

“My powers are gone for now.”

“We'll wait until they come back. I can bring some of my people,” Lyonis said. “They are excellent fighters, especially when shapeshifted.”

Telal's head pounded even harder until it felt like his brain was trying to escape. “I don't want innocents to die.” But how could it be done without any casualties?

The aristos lived in the castle. If they planned the timing right then they could attack and try to single out Alrik while the others were in bed, but then there'd still be servants and soldiers in the way. Either way it was risky and people would die.

“Alrik has sent assassins after you and Lily. I don't think he'll stop until you die. Could you let her die, Telal?” asked Tyrian in a soft voice.

Telal stiffened, his heart pounding with a strange emotion. He'd never really thought about it. What if she died? He swallowed hard because the thought made him want to vomit and kill something at the same time.

Lyonis suddenly laughed a hearty sound. Telal hated it. “You do love her.”

Telal glared at him. “I care some. I do not love her.” He felt a twinge inside that felt as if he'd lied. Panic instantly swelled inside him. Love? Did he love the crazy succubus? God, he did not want to think about that right now because his heart and his mind were disagreeing on the subject.

“Whatever. I'd recommend that you don't let a great thing like that pass you by. You never know when she might be taken away.” Lyonis' expression turned grim. Telal knew he'd almost lost his mate to the jaheera demon, but seeing how it affected him made him shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“I'm going to bed,” said Telal, coming to a stand. “I'll think about it and let you know.” He was a planner, had always excelled at weighing the pros and cons of a situation. He'd do the same with this one. Only this time was different because he was weighing his life to his brother’s.

After shaking hands with the men, Telal found Lily and let Chloe escort them to the bedroom they'd be using. Telal made for the shower and dropped under the hot spray letting it clean the feeling of filth from his skin and loosen his tight muscles.

He heard her soft steps before she came into view, beautifully naked. She stepped into the shower with him and wrapped her arms around him. His heart squeezed tight and he held her in return. It felt good to have her in his arms. It eased even more tension in him but made his heart thump erratically. Did he love her? God, he hoped not. Lyonis' words floated in his mind. But he shoved the thought away because they didn't count. Even if he did decide to go to war with his brother, he'd never let her come. She'd be here in the castle safe and locked away.

Her hands roamed across his back then cupped his cheeks giving him a playful pat. He almost laughed. She thought she was so much different off that drug of hers but really, he liked her like this. A little bit more serious, still sweet and naive, and kind.

The shower spray covered them both, matting their hair down and wetting their bodies. His eyes roamed over her form, loving the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips, and the soft press of her mounds against his chest. She felt womanly and perfect against him. She pressed a kiss to his chest then another, slowly going lower.

His cock punched hard and erect, his body growing tense once again. “What are you doing, lilit?”

She smiled up at him with warm eyes, her lips pressed underneath his belly button. “You're tense. I thought I'd help you to relax.” She kissed further down to each of his hipbones as her hands trailed up his thighs.

He almost staggered at her touch and had to slam his hand on the shower wall to keep from falling over. His cock fell against her cheek. He ached to have her suck him in deep but she ignored him and continued to lick her way down his groin.

She trailed her fingers over the area. “Why don't you have any hair here? Seeing blue down here would be pretty fun. Do you shave it?” The naughty witch asked the innocent question while her hand curled around his cock light as a butterfly.

“No,” he gritted out. “Demons don't grow hair down there.”

“Oh.” She said it like it was the most interesting thing to learn. She pressed her forehead against his thigh. In a voice devoid of playfulness, she said, “If you don't want to retake the throne that's fine. I support you. But please, please help me to get my mother out.”

He swallowed hard over the tightness in his throat and rested his head on her hair, so dark and wavy, beautiful. Love. Is this what it felt like? The need to please her and do anything for her to make her happy?

“I'll get her out, Lily.”

She looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his gaze. Like a light flipping on, her expression lit up bright as the sun. “Telal...thank you. Thank you.”

Then in a smooth move, she swallowed his cock whole, burying him to the back of her throat. He did choke now, his hips jerking from the raw pleasure.

“Lily,” he warned. Though he wasn't sure what he was warning her about . She made a moaning sound around him then slid him out and back in again, flicking her little tongue around him and licking his shaft like a delicious treat. Raw possession came over him. He wanted to keep her, he realized. Only let her mouth ever please him. The thought didn't shock him as it might have even a few weeks ago, but it settled deep inside him like concrete—sure and strong.