The Abyss (Fae's Captive #7) - Lily Archer Page 0,22
or—Yow!”
Gareth smacks the unicorn’s ass hard, and he darts away to his paddock just inside the southern gate. “Nasty creatures.”
“Beautiful, though.” I watch as a mare—her mane streaked with golden strands, and her bright blue eyes a luminous wonder—bends down and starts licking one of the males. I turn back to Gareth. “But yeah, really gross.”
“Stop that.” Parnon grabs several sets of tack and separates the mare from her lewd lolly. Some of the other freed slaves help him saddle the unicorns. Most of them are young and agile, trained soldiers for Zatran and Cranthum—they’ll come in handy, especially because now they’re fighting for themselves.
Gareth puts his hands on my shoulders. “You will ride with me. You will not leave my sight. You will follow my orders, because you know I am giving them to keep you safe. Do you understand?”
“I’m not a child.” I put my hands on my hips. “I’ve fended for myself for quite a long time without your help, Gareth Elliden, and I can keep doing it.” Why do I love sassing him? I don’t know, but I can’t seem to stop. I smile up into his face.
“Changeling, I will put you over my knee right here and now unless you tell me you understand my terms.” His growl is likely meant to be intimidating, but his threat has my nipples hardening and my panties going damp.
“You’d do that to your mate?” I pout, secretly thrilled at the prospect.
He leans down so that I have no escape from his direct gaze. “I intend to do much, much worse to my mate. But for now, all you have to do is tell me you understand. And then I will save your ass reddening for later, and in private.”
“But I’ll still get one?” I ask brightly.
His eyes flicker gold, and he licks his lips. “You want me to spank you?”
I run my finger down his chest and over the ripples of his abs. “Xalana needs discipline, my lord.”
He runs a hand to my ass and grips it. “My naughty beloved.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” A large unicorn struts up, the saddle on his back almost comically small compared to him. “Show us some skin.”
Gareth pushes me behind him and grabs the unicorn’s bridle. “What’s your name?”
“Your language can’t even pronounce the beauty of my name.” The beast scoffs.
“Then I shall call you Horse.” Gareth holds his hand out for me. “And you will carry us to the Abyss.”
“Or what?” He tosses his beautiful head, his mane glowing in the sun.
“Or I will turn you into a gelding.”
His nostrils flare. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would.” Gareth holds up his palm. “I would use this hand and rip your balls off as if they were two ripe jubaran fruits, then toss them aside for the buzzards.”
The unicorn shakes his head and stamps his front hooves. “Mental image not necessary. By the Great Horn, you’re a maniac.”
“Keep that in mind as we ride to the Abyss.” With a quick motion, Gareth lifts me onto Horse’s back. “Get situated, I’ll grab the supplies.” He turns, his wide back flexing beneath his white tunic.
“He wouldn’t do that to you.” I pat the unicorn’s mane. “He’s just sort of—”
“A brute?”
“I was going to say stern.”
He nickers.
“Good Horse.” I settle back into the saddle.
“Iridiel,” he mumbles. “That’s my name. I mean, it’s short for a more glorious name that only unicorns can pronounce, but you get the idea.”
“I’m Beth, and my grumbly fae is Gareth. Lovely to meet you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just try not to dig your heels into my sides, and lay off my mane. When it gets tangled, it can be a real bitch to deal with.”
I pull my hand back. “All right.”
He turns his head so one big cerulean eye is looking at me. “And your mating scent is going to have me mounting that mare over there. Can you close your legs? Ride side-saddle?”
“Her scent isn’t for you.” Gareth tosses a set of bags across Iridiel’s back and fastens them tight. “It’s for me. Keep your snout to yourself.”
Iridiel huffs. “Fine, but she can’t keep that heat to herself. I’m getting a warm spot on my back even through the saddle. Straight from her sweet spot. Feels so good.” He nickers.
Gareth tenses.
I wince. “Gareth, he’s just trying to bait you. Don’t—”
“I’ve never punched a unicorn, but I’m more than willing to start.” He circles around to Iridiel’s front.
“Guys, don’t. We need to be a team for this trek. Come on.” I pat