my Lord.”
He felt worse today, but I wouldn’t force him to say it. I could see and smell it.
“You keep calling me your Lord,” I whispered.
“Do you not like it?”
“Sometimes, I do. I admit. I like it when you give yourself to me, when you let me reign over your body.”
“But?”
“I am not your Lord, Rees. You are a free man.”
“What am I to call you, then? You don’t have a name. And you told me yourself that words hold power.”
My hands roamed his body, and he nestled closer to me, placing openmouthed kisses over my upper chest. I ached with the need to soothe him. To collect the magic running through my veins and pour it into him so he’d live forever, healthy and strong.
What if you can’t heal him? What if you take him, and he dies? You’re exhausting him already, wringing orgasms out of him when he should be resting. What if you are only killing him faster than his illness would?
I kissed the top of his head. I’d need to take all risks soon, or I’d lose him, but the possibility of accidentally hurting him mangled my mind.
“If you were to choose, what would you call me?” I asked, trying to distract myself from my dark thoughts.
He nuzzled my skin, his fingers caressing my chest. I didn’t deserve his tenderness. “You told me my name is from an ancient language. I found a book about it in the library, and I began learning the language. It’s beautiful.”
“Yes?” I prompted, curious now.
“There is a name I’d like to call you. If I am allowed.”
“Tell me.”
He sighed, blinked slowly, then answered. “Cariad.”
I pondered the sound. I’d heard the word before, but it had been a long time ago, and I’d forgotten what it meant. “Why?”
“It suits you. I…” He paused and took a deep breath. “I’ve been calling you Cariad in my mind for some time.”
“Does it mean something?”
“It does to me.” Another kiss, lingering just above my collarbone.
“And I am to trust you? How do I know you’re not calling me a bull’s ass or an earthworm, hm?” I teased.
He laughed. “Yes, you are to trust me. It’s nothing like that. Don’t ask me what it means.”
I cupped his cheek, lifting his face so our gazes locked. Seeing him laugh, his eyes shining…I’d grant him any wish.
“Whatever you want, my darling. You can call me Cariad if it makes you happy.”
“It does,” he whispered. “And I will still call you my Lord sometimes.” The tone of his voice let me know what he was thinking.
“You’re turning into a demon yourself, Rees,” I told him. “Insatiable and wicked.”
He stretched in my arms, rocking his hips, his half-hard cock pushing against my belly. “It’s because you are irresistible to me.”
“You’re still tired. Rest. We have the whole day.”
“You’re staying at home today? For the whole day?”
“Yes.”
“When I wake up, I want to make love to your cock.” His words were slurred already.
“Whatever you want. Now rest. I’ll hold you.”
“Thank you, Cariad,” he murmured.
He fell asleep again and slept until noon. I didn’t leave his side, keeping him warm. He felt so fragile in my embrace, smaller, thinner. He’d lost weight. I feared to believe I could heal him. I’d been holding back, keeping the beast on a leash. If I were to examine my thoughts and wishes properly, I’d find many hidden truths, each more terrifying than the last.
Never in my life had the monster held so much power over me as when Rees was near. It was a selfish creature, dangerous and violent. And lately, it didn’t care for anything but having Rees. It raged with the desire to claim him. While I controlled it most of the time, it was a part of my soul. My true nature. So yes, I truly feared I’d cause Rees pain if I let the monster loose.
Yet what I feared the most was the pain he’d cause me. Because if I took him, I’d never be able to give him up. And if I failed to heal him, I would never be able to forget him.
Wasn’t it too late anyway? How long could I pretend I still had choices to make?
Maybe I’d held him too tightly. A thin sheen of sweat covered his skin, and he squirmed in my arms. Then I caught the scent of his arousal in the air. Did he dream of me?
Take him. Do it. He wants you to. You could wake him up now and fuck