Codex Mortem

Temptation

You can find this story on Inkitt. Happy reading!

Raiden

The great hall was filled with warriors, who rose as I walked and took my seat on the raised platform. Rhys had a dumb smile on his face, the kind one that he usually had when a slave pounds him well.

The men sat down on the benches and resumed to their dinner, humming and laughing .

I grabbed a chunk of meat and stuffed it in my mouth.

"Did the new alpha forgot to feed you?" he teased amused, while the meat juices were dripping from the corner of my mouth. I swallowed fast, too hungry to waste time to chew more.

"What's that stupid smile on your face?" I asked, reaching for another piece.

The venison was tasty. "And they offered me food, of course, but I didn't waste any time to attend the new Alpha's feast. Not after the message you sent me. What happened with the chest, did it burned?"

"Nearly" He sipped quietly from his wine, then he signaled with his finger to a slave, who came and refilled his cup, throwing glances between me and him.

After the woman retreated, he continued. "I've never seen it so hot, Raiden. Never. It's gone cold now, but something happened, I'm sure. I had to spend the night on your bloody floor to guard it."

There was no point in trying to understand anything about the damn box, I thought. Maybe one day it will just burn by itself. "What about the prisoner?"

"Not much to say about her, except she's a dawner, caught while burying her daughter." He paused. "You should do something about Zain and his men. It took five of them to bring that one here."

"We'll keep the woman for the second harvest's sacrifice. Make sure she confess till then. Her blood should be enough for the stone." Rubbing my overgrown beard, I added-

"I am not the thick skull that doesn't want to name a new Aga, so you deal with the patrols."

He frowned. I touched a sensitive spot, but I had to.

Jayce was lost, probably dead by now, and it was time to accept that. We couldn't risk to search our former Aga. Because if he was still alive and infiltrated into our enemy's core, that would've ruined his mission.

The evening passed calmly, with no fights amongst the wine- heated men. I left the hall quietly, while he was exchanging glances with the skirt that served us.

I pressed the latch and opened the heavy oak door with a loud noise.

The dim glow of the fire was casting strange shadows on the old tall ceiling made of beams and patched with clay, while the warmth was fading in the cold air of the room.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind, taking a deep breath. In that moment, a faint scent hit my senses and my pupils went dark.

Something familiar was nagging in the pit of my mind, but I focused on the smell masked by dirt and fear.

It was sweet and fresh, like a full blossomed peony bathing in the clean air of a summer rain.

So magnificent that it made the beast stir inside me, and I couldn't help myself growling. My eyes closed for a few moments to allow myself to get back in control. I walked a few steps towards her till I was inches away.

She was curled on the dusty floor, in the far corner of the chamber, with head resting on her raised knees and arms wrapped around them. The light blond hair was pinned in a messy bun with wild strands falling on her face, while a beautiful veil was wrapped around her neck.

She tried to cover her bare small feet with the shredded skirt of her dress as I approached, and swallowed hard the dry lump formed in her throat, struggling to stop her sobs.

I cleared my throat and demanded her to look at me. I simply had to see her face. She clenched tighter the hem of her dress, without any attempt to move.

Her heart beat increased as I slowly lowered myself facing her.

I noticed the goosebumps on her arms and how she was shivering like a leaf in the blowing wind.. Perhaps from the chills of the air, perhaps from the chills of my presence.

I traced my finger on her smooth pale skin and asked her again to look at me, in a softer tone.

She slowly lift her head, and my gaze meet a pair of plump lips- an invitation to a feast, I thought. But when her eyes meet mine... I was lost. Drowned in a sea of deep blue, the world crumbled above my head. I was dying of thirst, and she was the clear fresh water.

A warm tear escaped from the corner of her eyes . I lift my hand to those wild locks, and she flinched, shifting her head to the wall on her right.

I pulled back and studied her. Her dress was plain and damp, with torn sleeves and edges. Her bare feet had some strains of blood and mud, and her toes blueish. She was freezing.

Pure instinct took over and I lifted her feathery weight in my arms, sitting us in front of the fireplace. She was shocked by the sudden move, but lacked the power to protest.

While I held her tight to my chest, I brought the wide fur closer and rolled us on it, with me on top of her.

She covered her small round breast with her arms in a protective manner and squeezed shut her eyes, turning her head to avoid me.

She was afraid of me, and she was right to be.

The powerful urge to possess her, to make her mine in every way possible, brought me to the edge. My fierce predator instincts nearly took over, and I growled, frustrated.

I lift myself up and covered her with the rest of the fur, then I strode to the basin and soaked my face in the cold water. I needed to calm down.

After a few moments, my breath steadied, and I turned to her.

Big blue eyes watched me curiously.

"What is your name, angel?"

With a brief hesitation, she said in a whisper "Dawn."

"Dawn." I repeated. "Do you know who I am?"

She nodded her head slowly. "You are their king..."

Her eyes were gazing straight into mine, but it wasn't in disrespect.

"Take off your clothes, Dawn."

Her arched brows pulled together and she stiffened. Small hands brought the fur up to her thin neck.

"You will catch your death if you don't dry your dress."

I strode back and lowered myself next to her. With a steady calmness I took the cover down.

"Please, don't..."

My hands rolled up the edge of her skirt, despite her plea, searching any trace of injury.

When I exposed her knees, she tugged her legs under her bottom with a sudden move.

"Please, she said again while her gaze lowered to the floor. "I have nothing else to put on, lord, and I would rather warm myself next to the fire, if you allow it. But if that is too much to ask, I would just go in the dungeon, for I mean not to upset you with my unkept appearance."

Her grace and humility struck me like a hammer.

With a slow move, I turned her till her back touched my chest. Her body stiffened, while my fingers lifted the wild strands and my nose brushed her tender neck, memorizing the scent that was driving me insane.

"I will decide your punishment soon. What on earth made you trespass our land, girl? Aren't you aware that we punish this by law?"

Her fingers fidgeted.

"Why did you cross the Dubh? Tell me."

"I..." A quick protest of her stomach interrupted. "I was hun -hungry" she stammered.

I wasn't sure if to believe or not. I didn't know her enough to tell if she spoke the truth and her heart beat has already gone wild with fear and emotion.

I placed a finger under her chin and turned her head towards me. My gaze was fixed on her stunning face. Long dark lashes fanned over her eyes as she blinked nervously, biting her lower lip.

That innocent gesture pushed me on the edge of my sanity, and all I wanted in that moment was to savour her.

Inclining my head, I traced my tongue over her sweet lips and entered her mouth slowly. It tasted of innocence. Her honeyed tongue meet my strokes with shyness. She turned to me in a graceful motion and placed her small palms over my torso, gaining a bit more courage.

It took all the power, but I had to pull back, leaving a dazed Dawn peering thru half-open eyes. If I didn't, I would've been riding her in seconds.

Suddenly she rose and dashed to the basin, taking water in her palm and washing the inside of her mouth.

"What's wrong?"

She pressed a hand to her chest. "Am I going to get pregnant now?"

I eyed her, baffled, for what seemed an eternity. "Huh?"

"My mother once told me..."

A red blush build up on her cheeks as she spoke. "My mother told me never to kiss a boy, because that's how women get heavy with babes..." she whispered nervously.

I pressed my palm to my forehead, holding back a chuckle.

"It takes more than that to put a babe in your womb, lass." I explained, closing the distance between us. I wiped her wet quivering lips with my thumb and I planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"W- What are you go- going to do to me?" she stammered coyly while she held tight the folds of her skirt, making her knuckles go white.

"You will go to the cell for now. Till I decide your punishment." It was for the best. I couldn't have her around, or I would not be able to restrain myself. My arousal was nearly painful. And to hold this unclaimed tasty morsel in the middle of my hungry wolves... I didn't know what was worse.

She hung her head low and walked reluctantly to the door.

"Guard!" The man opened the door with a wide grin across his face. He heard it, too.

"Wipe that smile off, or I will." I ordered. "Take her to the dungeon. Give her a fur and see that she's fed!"

The guard smile faded in an instant.

"Shall I bring the other one, Lord? The  dawner?" He asked.

Maybe he was right. I needed a quick release, after what the sweet temptation stirred in me. "Bring her."

Before she stepped out, she turned her head over her shoulder.

"Thank you."

.....