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pleasure Reghan had sent to him finally became too much for Castan to
bear. It exploded inside of him, filling him from the tips of his hair to his
fingernails. He might have reached his peak, too. It was difficult to tell
with so many sensations surrounding him and battering him. His cock
felt slick when he eased back and thrust forward again, and it might
have been his own spending. But he was still as hard as a rock, and he
couldn't think of anything he wanted more than to pound into Reghan
again and again.
Reghan's mouth was hard and hot and sharp everywhere he
touched Castan, leaving more marks on his throat and his face. Every
time he felt the sting of teeth against his thin skin, he slammed into
Reghan and felt like he had no self-control at all. Reghan clung to him,
as light as a child's doll, his arms and legs wrapped around Castan's
trunk, ankles locked together at the small of Castan's back, keeping him
in place. Castan braced himself against the tree with one hand, happy to
let the rough bark slice into his palm and grind against the scrapes. This
was one type of pain that didn't get lost in the larger cloud of pleasure. It
was sharp and exacting and it helped Castan focus.
Birds fluttered above their heads as their shouts startled them
from their resting places. Castan could sense other animals around
them, hearing them scurry deeper into the forest, running from the
strange, too-loud sounds. Castan felt like he must have been screaming
even when Reghan's mouth was pressed to his. And in the back of his
head, he heard Reghan say over and over Do it. Anything you want,
Castan.
* * * *
They didn't talk for a long time afterward. Castan thought it had
something to do with the fact that neither of them were capable of
speech. Castan's throat was raw and his mouth dry. His muscles were
watery, and he had pretty much collapsed where he stood as soon as
Reghan disentangled himself. Reghan had chuckled softly and joined him
on the forest floor, sleepily curling into Castan's side. Was it like that
every time? And if so, how was Castan going to be able to function and
cope with ruling an entire kingdom when all he wanted to do was lock
himself into a room with Reghan and never leave?
He fell asleep while mulling over the possibility of that, and his
dreams were thin and entirely focused around Reghan. He didn't know
how long he slept, but when he woke again, the sun was much lower in
the sky and Reghan was no longer snuggled against him. After a moment
of panic, he realized that Reghan hadn't gone far. He was only a few feet
away, his clothes miraculously mended and on his body again, a small
fire burning at his feet. A rabbit hung on a spit above the flames.
"I thought I would set up camp," Reghan said. "Since I don't think
we'll be going anywhere tonight."
"It's not night yet."
"I meant since I will not be sitting on a horse anytime in the near
future."
"Why...oh." Castan frowned. "I didn't really hurt you, did I? I
should have been more careful."
Reghan smiled and shook his head. "You didn't hurt me, but I will
be a bit tender for awhile. And this is a nice spot."
"Where did you get the rabbit?"
Reghan arched his brow and Castan grimaced. "Okay, sorry, that
was a stupid question."
"After the afternoon you've had, you're allowed a few stupid
questions. Most people wouldn't be thinking too clearly after that."
"You sound awfully pleased with yourself."
"I am awfully pleased with myself. I didn't leave you wanting, did
I?"
Castan quirked his lips. "No, you definitely didn't do that. I can't
remember the last time I felt so...good."
Reghan patted the log beside him. "Come sit with me."
Castan happily moved to the other side of the fire, sitting with his
knees splayed and his hand resting on Reghan's thigh. The fire popped,
sparks catching on the wind and swirling above the fire before fading out
of existence. Castan watched them, still feeling a little bit dazed and
wondering when his mind would clear.
"I wanted to talk to you about Áine," Reghan said.
"I don't want to talk about Áine."
"I know, but there's something I need to tell you. Something that
might help you understand her choices."
"I don't care about her choices, Reghan. I don't care about
anything she does."
"I understand that. But...you're still going to have to marry her.
She's not going to go away anytime soon. And I think it's important for
you to have all the information. I want to be honest with you, Castan."
Castan frowned. "What is it?"
"Áine's mother was fey."
"Yes, you already told me that."
"Her name was Sibley. You've spoken with her."
"What? I don't remember meeting anybody named Sibley."
"She didn't introduce herself before you ordered her death,"
Reghan said softly. "She was the first fairy you offered to spare. The first
one to decline."
Castan knew he was staring at Reghan like a fool with his mouth
open and his eyes wide. "Áine...knows this?"
Reghan nodded.
"You told her," Castan said, knowing the answer, knowing it didn't
need to be a question.
"She asked me if I knew of Sibley's fate. I told her the truth."
"That's why she hates me now," Castan said dully. "Why would you
do that? Were you trying to undermine me? Or destroy the alliance my
father wishes to build?"
"No." Reghan turned to face Castan fully and took his hand. "No, it
was never anything like that. Never. I told her...I tried to make her
understand it wasn't your fault. It was Banbha's war and you had done
the honorable thing."
"How could I marry her now?"
"You have to," Reghan said. "You risk too much if you refuse her
now."
"I saw her with another man. I could send her away in disgrace."
"And Mannix could gather his men and declare war on the crown,"
Reghan responded. "To defend the honor of his daughter, if nothing else.
Think about this, Castan. Your ranks are badly depleted. You still need
time to recover from the battles with Banbha. Somerset couldn't
withstand a siege right now."
"Fine, I'll marry her. But I'm going to send her away. I don't trust
her, Reghan."
"With time, she may realize..."
"With time?" Castan asked, incredulous. "What are you saying?
That one day we might have a happy union if I just give her enough time
to forgive me for killing her mother?"
"No. I'm just saying she may forgive you someday."
"Her forgiveness means nothing to me. But...thank you for telling
me. Anything else?"
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