Chapter Four

The men argued as they led Fae from one dimly lit street to a darker one. She shuffled between them, head bowed, so ashamed she couldn??t speak. They were fighting because of her, but what could she possibly do to fix this?

??We can??t take her there.??

??And why not???

??She??s pure.??

??Not for long. Stop being a sore loser, Cravis. You know you want her. I??ll make it quick.??

The second man, Cravis, gave the other a look so dark Fae was amazed she could make it out in the shadows of the night. Then he snapped. ??Don??t you dare. If I have to watch, it better be worth it.??

The other man smiled. Finally, the discord between them had passed. But Fae??s shame remained. They were obviously fighting about where her punishment would take place and who would administer it. The rest she didn??t understand, but she would do anything to spare them.

The man with the laughing voice wrapped his arm around her waist. ??It??ll be worth it. That much I can promise.??

They entered a building and music crashed into them, wild and jarring, booming like a gigantic pulse that threatened to burst right through her skull. Fae wanted to cover her ears but she didn??t. The sounds of these people were to be cherished. Like everything else, she would find and appreciate the beauty.

The man for whom she still had no name tightened his grip on her hand as they passed through darkness speared by flashing, colored lights, and weaved around the pressing throng. None saw her, but they saw the men. Their warm greetings pleased Fae. These wonderful men deserved to be liked.

Cravis stopped short beside a counter that stretched around a space where a lovely young woman served glasses of liquid so strongly scented it stung Fae??s nose. His sudden frown hurt something deep within.

??She??s so innocent. This is wrong.?? He caught her other hand and held it up, kissing her knuckles. His hot breath on her flesh, his hooded gaze, burned right through her. ??Let??s be careful with her, Travis. Make the purity last, just a little longer????

Travis swooped up the tiny glass the woman behind the long counter set before him and drained it in a gulp. Then he slammed the glass on the gleaming wood surface. ??No limits. If you want to play that way, find someone else.??

??Play??? Fae??s question broke the tension between them. ??The punishment will not be unpleasant for you???

??No, it???? Cravis groaned and gestured for another glass. It was placed before him, but he didn??t touch it. ??Fuck. And I thought I was depraved. Will you listen to her! She doesn??t understand.??

??Why should she??? Travis scoffed. He leaned on the counter and faced Fae. ??Shall I begin your penance for the crime of your desire, for your questions, for all that is forbidden???

Fae glanced at Cravis then bowed her head. She did understand. It wouldn??t be pleasant for them. But they would handle the ordeal and so would she. ??Please, Travis??begin.??

After giving her a curt nod, Travis went behind the counter and took out a length of rope. Then he returned and bent down to loop the rope around a table leg in full view of the eager crowd that stepped dancing to watch.

Cravis grabbed his brother??s wrist and jerked him up. ??If we do this, then we do it alone.?? The edge of his lip curved. ??At least the first time. After that we??ll teach her to perform??but not yet.??

Perform? Fae chewed the inside of her cheek, hating her ignorance. What did he mean ??first time??? How often would she be punished?

Travis nodded again and brought her down a hall to a small office. Fae forgot her troubling thoughts and looked around. So beautiful. The walls were covered in black with a golden damask lion pattern. The dark wood desk and chairs contrasted nicely with the crimson carpet. Matching cushions were piled on the leather sofa across from the desk. She traced the edge of a cushion and looked at Cravis.

??This color is lovely.??

With a coarse fingertip, he drew a curvy line down her cheek. ??If you don??t bore me, sweetheart, I??ll have a beautiful velvet gown made up for you in that color. I??ll give you anything you could possibly want.??

Fae gave him a shaky smile. She didn??t deserve it, but the offer seemed to make him happy. It would be cruel to refuse.

Her eyes fluttered shut as the gentle touch hastened her pulse. ??Then I will not bore you.??

Heat covered the front of her as Cravis moved in, flattening her soft breasts against his solid chest. Their scents mingled, fire and spring air. His every exhale kept time with her inhales, and she could taste the sweet liquor he??d consumed on his breath. She opened her eyes and gazed into his, finding a fierce hunger in the hooded, black depths. His hand curved around the back of her neck.

He tipped her chin up with a knuckle, and his lips hovered over hers. ??I??m sure you won??t.??

A clatter from the desk turned their heads. Travis was clearing it, tossing books and papers to the floor. He laughed when Cravis mumbled something under his breath and motioned Fae to the desk. Fae drew away from him reluctantly.

??Lie down, love,?? Travis said.

Wanting to please them, Fae hated to voice the doubts in her thoughts. But something told her she must. ??What will you do to me???

Slamming the unwound rope on the desk, Travis reached for her. ??I said????

Smoothly stepping between them, Cravis nudged her back and used his large form to block Travis. ??Where??s the charm, brother???

Travis flattened his hands on the desk. He nodded slowly then lifted his head to grace Fae with a strained smile. ??I must bind you to punish you.??

A chill crawled up Fae??s spine. She shook her head. ??Please don??t?? I??ll do whatever you ask, but don??t restrain me. Restraints make me feel too much and????

??That??s the point!?? Travis threw his hands up and glared at Cravis, who chuckled. He turned the glare on Fae. ??You swore.??

Hot tears gathered in Fae??s eyes, clinging to her lashes. He was right. She should do as he said. ??I????

??Hush.?? Cravis spun her around and cupped her elbows in his hands, bending a little. ??Restraints can be pleasant, but we will forgo them until you??re ready. For now, perhaps a small punishment will suffice.??

??A small punishment??? Fae rested her brow on his hard chest and closed her eyes. ??I??ll be punished more than once???

Travis let out a muffled cough and Fae glanced at him, hoping he wasn??t sick.

Cravis put his hand under her chin and urged her to look up at him. ??Yes, more than once, but we won??t worry about that.?? He studied the room then held his hand out toward the black leather sofa. ??Come. Sit with me.??

Fae let him lead her to the sofa and sank into it with a little sigh. The smooth surface was pure bliss to touch, the thick material cool, but warming with her petting.

Cravis put his hand over hers and held her hand still.

??Every texture is wondrous when it??s new, but don??t waste your time exploring inanimate things.?? He brought her hand to his face. ??Not when there are living, breathing things to behold.??

Fingers curling away from his flesh, Fae looked deep into his eyes, trying to understand why he??d give her something so precious when it was his sorry task to see her disciplined. Perhaps he was kind enough to show mercy, in which case she should tell him not to. She traced the hard line of his jaw. The slight dusting of stubble sent delightful vibrations up her delicate nerves.

I will tell him, she decided, trailing a finger over the hot silk of his lips. Later.

Cravis caught her wrist. ??How did that feel???

With a shy smile, Fae peeked up at him. ??I never hoped to feel the joy of another??s flesh. The mistress said it was a sin.??

??If you are to pay for the want of it, should you not enjoy what you??ve purchased??? He pressed his lips to the tips of her fingers. Every touch, every breath, tugged the taut threads stretching from each digit to lengths knotted deep within. He held up her hand and kissed her palm. ??Shall I show you why it??s worth the price???

Words failing her, Fae simply nodded. Cravis opened his mouth and then closed it over her fingers. He sucked and she gasped, the pressure of his lips and tongue drawing the whole of her to him, as though he could consume her by that act alone. She leaned close and he released her fingers, then took her chin in hand and claimed her mouth. His lips covered hers and cleared all thoughts from her mind. But when his tongue pressed against them, she froze and clamped her lips together.

Fingers delving into her hair, he massaged her scalp and whispered, ??Open to me, Fae. Give me your tongue. I must taste you.??

Surrendering to the gentle command, Fae let him in. His tongue dipped, withdrew, then lingered just past her teeth until her tongue tentatively met the hot invasion. He drew her firmly against him, controlling the sensual play that left her body craving more.

Travis dropped heavily on the sofa behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist, moving up to tug at the folds of the robe over her breast. Cravis tore his brother??s hands away and Fae cowered, dipping her head to avoid the anger crashing between the men.

??Slowly, Travis. Damn you, seek your pleasure elsewhere if you can??t be patient.?? Cravis reached around her and fisted his hand in his brother??s shirt. ??Take your loss with some dignity.??

??Slowly? Cravis, I don??t understand how you can tolerate this snail??s pace.?? Travis pouted like the children Fae had seen, wanting the treats displayed before them ??Now!?? ??Can??t you go a little faster???

Stroking his hands down Fae??s sides in a gentle, soothing way, Cravis shook his head. ??No, I can??t. Not without breaking her, and I??ve no desire to do that.?? He lifted a strand of Fae??s hair and let it fall over her shoulder. ??I??ll make you a deal. Do it my way tonight, and I??ll let you take her first.??

??Done.?? Travis grinned, like the child told he will have his treat if he??s a good boy. ??Carry on.??

Fae lifted her hands shakily to her robe, clutching it tight over her chest. ??Have I displeased you???

Cravis shook his head, turning on his hip so he was closer to her. ??Not at all. Now, where were we???

His lips were back on hers before she could consider an answer. Distracted by the increasing pressure of his mouth, by how he delved deeper and deeper, she hardly noticed when his hands covered her knees and gathered up the trailing cloth of her robe. But then he touched her bare legs and she started, fighting hard not to bite down on his tongue as new sensations assaulted her. She tried to cross her legs, but he trapped them by hooking his ankles to hers.

??Do you want me to stop??? He kissed her once more, his hands kneading the muscles of her thighs, his eyes holding the question of his words.

Swollen bottom lip between her teeth, Fae tried to retain enough air to clear her head. Did she really want to return to obscure observation and lose this chance to know all that flesh had to offer? She faintly recalled another purpose behind all this, but??

??I need an answer, Fae.?? The tips of his fingers made little circles above her knees, sending frissons up her nerves. ??Should I stop???

??Stop??? Her lips parted when he nodded and took his hands away. She shook her head. ??No! You mustn??t stop.??

??Then you mustn??t fight me.?? The slight turn of his lips sped her pulse. Then he kissed her again and slid his hands up her thighs. ??Or I won??t have a choice.??

She panted, quivering as she held perfectly still. One hand left her to make a slight motion at her side and suddenly there were more, Travis??s slipping over her shoulders. His lips glided up the column of her throat, and she arched against him while Cravis dropped his kiss to her chest.

Travis whispered into her ear as he hooked his fingers to the robe. ??Don??t move.??

The silken fabric slipped off her breasts. She swallowed. ??But????

??Hush.?? Cravis??s fingers covered the strip of cloth shielding the most intimate parts of her. She groaned as he rubbed the cloth over the moist lips she??d never touched herself because they seemed to serve no purpose. But they served a purpose now. As he gently chafed the wet folds, she knew them as the root of all she was, because while he touched her there, nothing else mattered.

Travis rose on his knees to lean around her. His hand lifted a breast to his lips, and he closed them over a tight, straining nipple. The electric shock of pleasure would have shot her off the sofa if Cravis hadn??t held her still. The exquisite suckling latched on to the sensation of Cravis dipping a single digit under the cloth shield, testing that hot opening with just the tip of his finger. Fae felt a moment of awe at having that small part of him inside her.

Then a sharp, mind-numbing pain stole all the pleasure. She fell against Travis and screamed.

Azrael pressed his hand to his gut and groaned. She hovered so close to the edge between life and death he couldn??t help but be aware of her. Her pain became his own and he reached out, absorbing as much as possible. He used his powers to ease her mind into oblivion, numbing her agony with his cold essence. He had no right to interfere, she??d done this to herself, but his sense of right and wrong mocked him. In saving her from Midael, he??d handed her to the demons. Driven her to the fall.

This is her destiny. Dropping to the floor in the living room of his latest victims, a family who??d lost their lives to a gas leak, he covered his face with his hands. Why fight it?

Despite the pain, despite how pointless his meddling probably was, he knew the answer. He was rarely given a choice. Whether it was a child taking its first breath or an old man taking his last, he was powerless. But with Fae, he knew her life was in his hands.

A gift only he could give. So he gave it and paid the price. Gladly.

Take it, little one. He inhaled as another wave of pain washed his mind with darkness. Be more than I am. Be truly alive.

His wings tore his black cloak to shreds. A single, black feather floated down to lay on the floor in front of him. Perhaps a warning that he??d gone too far?

No matter. He??d chosen his path and wouldn??t stray from it. How many chances had he been given in his long life? Fate had given Fae none.

But I have. So take it, little one. Take it and prove them all wrong.