WILLOW

Since Ruby Falls is closed to the public for the remainder of the day, we spend our time here. It’s so interesting knowing he’s ruler of this territory. One call, one order, and it’s all set in stone. No ifs, ands, or buts.

After going to Blackwater Manor and changing clothes, he has Makoto pack us a lunch, then drives back to the falls, parking on the grass. The air has changed since this morning. It’s not so cloudy anymore, and the temperature has risen a bit.

Perhaps Hassha feels guilty about the discussion in the cave with Caz and has allowed the clouds to part and the sun to beam directly on Ruby Falls and the surrounding areas. Or perhaps, this is exactly how it’s meant to be—a gentle ocean breeze floating, the hem of my black A-line dress billowing. The scent of honeysuckle and flora fill the air, and there’s that distinct saltiness of the beach as well as mud from the falls, but it’s all a perfect, harmonious blend.

Caz retrieves a checkered black blanket from the hatch of the SUV and spreads it out on the grass. He then fetches the basket full of food, wine, and glasses, setting them on the blanket.

“Go on then,” he says, smiling. “Have a seat, Lady Monarch.”

I laugh. “I still have to get used to this Lady Monarch thing.”

“That’s right.” He claims the spot next to me. “You’re my lady, so that makes you my queen. Better get used to the title if you plan on sticking around here.”

“Aren’t kings and queens supposed to be married, though?” I probe.

He eyes me, the sun reflecting off his blue irises. “Is that what you want?”

I bump his arm with mine gently, and he wraps an arm around me. “One day.”

“Then one day it shall be.” He points his gaze ahead. “I haven’t had a picnic in so long.”

“How long?”

“Not since I was a boy. Had them all the time with my mother.”

He tenses, only slightly, at the mention of her. I rest my head on his upper arm, letting the silence comfort us. The white noise comes from both directions, removing whatever tension he has in his body.

“I’m curious about something.”

“What’s that?” he asks.

“On Earth, people believe that when we die, we’re either going to heaven or hell. Others believe we are reincarnated and that our soul enters another creature or person. How does it work here? I mean, when someone dies, are they born again like we are? Or are they gone forever?”

Caz is quiet a moment, likely pondering. “No one’s ever been sure,” he finally says. “I used to think we all just died and that was it. We’d reach a point where living is exhausting and die.” His lips are parted, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But now, after discovering more about the Tether…I think we’re all reborn in some way. And if we aren’t, perhaps the Regals have created a place where our souls can rest. I believe even they are aware of how hard life truly is.”

I laugh. “Yeah. I’m sure they are.”

“Nothing can ever kill them, only weaken them,” he says, more to himself than anyone else. “But The Council...they can die. All you have to do is catch them. They’re no different than Danica if you think about it.”

I look down at my lap. “I hope she and Warren are doing okay.”

“I’m sure they’re fine. They’re in one of the safest territories. Nothing will harm them.”

“Right.”

Caz leans back, resting on his elbows. He’s wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. His shirt rises a bit, revealing a sliver of creamy belly and one of his scars. I lean forward to kiss it while he’s off-guard, and he sucks in a breath, eyes flickering up to mine.

“You can’t do that, Willow!” he bellows with a laugh.

A giggle slips out of me. “Can’t do what?”

“Kiss me down there! Not unless you want me to lose all sense of control and take you on this blanket.”

I bite a grin. “I would love that, actually.”

He smirks, twisting his body to lie on top of me. He shoves my dress up, guiding his firm lower half between my bare legs. Those blue eyes drop to mine, then drag down to my mouth.

“You are so damn stunning,” he rasps on my lips.

“As are you.”

He drops a hand so it’s between us, and his fingers skim over my panties. “Shall I make you come?”

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, nodding, and he moves aside, leaning on his elbow and sliding his hands into my panties. He cups my pussy, and his mouth comes to my ear. His warm breaths slide down on my exposed skin, and with ease he parts the lips of my pussy with two fingers, allowing his middle finger to press and rub my clit. The shock is instant, and it’s astounding how I’ll never get used to his touch. Every time his hands are on me, it feels fresh and new, and unique sensations take over me that are purely addicting.

His head drops as he steals a kiss, and his tongue thrusts my lips apart to play with mine. His fingers never stop—rubbing my clit, then thrusting into me. It’s a repeated action, one that builds me up between his savory kisses until I explode.

I cry out his name, clutching a handful of his shirt and bringing him closer. I suck his bottom lip until he hisses, and he thrusts another finger inside me, triggering my G-spot again.

“Oh, God,” I breathe. Our breaths tangle, and he slowly pulls away, his mouth hovering above mine.

“I’ll never tire of seeing you come.” A kiss to the corner of my mouth. “You should see yourself as you do. The bliss that takes over you. Makes me hard knowing I do that to you.”

“Well…” I sit up, pressing a hand to his chest and unbuttoning his belt. “Now it’s my turn.”

His eyes spark with heat as he rests on his back. I bring his pants down just enough to free his dick, and sure enough, he’s hard. Veins throb along the shaft, riding up to the bulbous tip. My mouth aches for him, especially when he grips the base of it and strokes lightly in anticipation.

I push his hand way, wrapping my lips around him and taking him straight down my throat. He curses beneath his breath, and our eyes connect as I swallow him again.

“Love of Vakeeli, Willow,” he pants, throwing his head back. “Don’t look at me that way.”

What way?

His head snaps back down when he hears my voice in his head, and I swear he grows harder in my mouth.

You’re trying to make me come in a matter of seconds, aren’t you?

I grip the base of his dick, sucking the tip. I lap my tongue around it as he throbs in my palm, feral groans bursting out of him.

“Fuck,” he breathes, lying completely flat on his back. His hand comes to the back of my head, palming it to guide himself deeper. His precum is salty and hot, slipping down my throat, and then he erupts.

A loud groan pours out of him as he clutches a handful of my locs, burying his entire cock down my throat. I gag around him as some of his cum leaks from the corners of my mouth. He sluggishly pulls his hand away, and I lean backward with a satisfied smile.

Throwing a hand over his forehead, he breathes raggedly as I swallow it all down, then leave a trail of kisses from the tip to his sated balls. He jolts to life again, and as if he can’t take it anymore, he gathers me in his arms and brings me on top of him.

“You’re too good to be true, Willow Woman,” he breathes. “Too damn good.”