Chapter Song Suggestion - "In the Stillness by Megan Wofford"
After sending a reluctant Jin back to Beihai, Kyou found Inka crying near the palace lake. Rei who hovered like an unseen spectre, quietly withdrew as the Emperor approached in slow strides, taking the empty seat beside her.
"That was quite a scolding you gave my brother," he attempted to lighten the mood. "Although, he deserved it."
She refused to look at him, swallowing a sudden hiccup. "Go away. I don't want you to see me like this."
"Silly witch," he said, drawing her face into his chest. "I don't care if you're ugly, because you're not that beautiful to begin with."
She punched him hard in the stomach, the air escaping his lungs. Inka pulled back with a scowl, her eyes red but there was nothing unattractive about her. "Damn it," he cursed softly. "I was trying to cheer you up."
She made a face. "Has anyone ever told you that you're terrible at it?"
"No, I never wanted to," he answered frankly, "Until now." His meaning was clear, and her heart sped up as their gazes locked.
Inka flushed while slow heat pooled low in her belly. Her body was becoming attuned to his after their intense lip-locking. Flustered by the abrupt rush of desire flowing in her veins, she nervously glanced away. Her hands twitched in her lap, as she struggled not to let him know how his kiss left her wanting more.
"Why are your cheeks red?" he asked bluntly, bringing his palm to her forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-no reason!" She shot to her feet. "I'm going back inside."
"Not so fast." He caught her arm. The air thickened with sensual awareness as Kyou realized the reason for her agitation. A cruel streak of male satisfaction curved his lips as he towered over her petite frame. Dropping his gaze to her gaping shirt revealing a luscious view of her breasts, the leash on his desire snapped. "We're going back to my room."
"W-whatever for?" She countered breathlessly, feeling the dangerous shift in his mood.
His eyes gleamed like a predator, his callous fingers trailing seductively along her cheek, down her neck and whispering past her collarbone to the swells of her breasts. "Because we have unfinished business, little witch."
She sucked in her breath when he scooped her up and strode purposefully towards his chamber. Dumping her onto the bed, he caged her within his arms and silenced any objections with his mouth. The earthy aroma of wood, horse and virile male imprisoned her senses as his tongue drove between her parted lips in an erotic kiss, retreating and plunging again and again until lust streaked through Inka like lightning bolts.
Heat pooled between her legs, and she began squirming, rubbing her legs together, yearning for something to fill the emptiness. A needy moan left her lips when he leaned over and touched a hand to her breast, squeezing gently.
"Inka…," he sounded captivated.
He pushed aside the obstructing silk covering her skin and admired the view she presented like a glorious pagan sacrifice. She was breathtaking. Her silver hair fanned out on his pillows, her rounded mounds thrust up for his taking and the revealing outfit only enhanced her exotic appeal. Her skirts were bunched over her spread thighs, offering him a magnificent view of pink, wet lips. An involuntary growl escaped him, wringing shivers from Inka.
His hand travelled down her quivering taut belly, his finger dipping into her belly button followed by his tongue. She gasped as he left a damp trail down to her pubic bone. Ripping the skirt effortlessly, Kyou raised her left leg over his shoulder and bent his head to taste her dripping pussy.
She cried out in pleasure when he licked and suckled her pulsing core, gripped by a heady sensation that made her lose all sanity. He expertly rubbed her throbbing clit while plunging a finger deep within her, feeling how tight she was. Inka felt a smouldering trail of fire burning from her core, travelling up her spine before her body bowed and she came apart in ecstasy.
"Kyou!" She cried out, panting as a rush of wetness flooded her pussy. Breathing hard, her eyes were shut tight as her inner muscles clenched and spasm around his still probing fingers, sending waves of pleasure up her spine.
He lapped up her cream greedily, gently nipping her inner thighs before coming back up to kiss her again. Inka was mortified yet amazed to taste herself on his tongue, a faint mixture of salty and sweet.
"That's what I wanted to do for a very long time," he admitted slyly, his hair falling into his eyes.
"You're a beast in disguise," she teased, stretching like a cat. "I didn't know you harboured such thoughts."
"I am a man after all." His hands travelled up to her breasts, pushing aside her flimsy top to taste her nipples. She arched her back when he suckled the pink tips, lavishing his undivided attention to each breast. Demonstrating his single-minded determination, he wasn't content until her pleasured moans fell onto his ears.
"W-we can't, I'm not ready." Came her stuttered whisper.
"Hush, don't worry," he blew against her wet nipples. "I won't fuck you until you're ready."
She flinched at his crude words; the flames of desire snuffed out. Pushing him away, she covered her breasts with her arms and sat up against the headboard. Lust and hesitation warred on her beautiful face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, wearing a puzzled expression.
"I'm serious, Kyou," she remarked fiercely. "I won't sleep with you."
"But you're fine with this?"
"No!" she exclaimed, struggling to find the right words to explain. "I got carried away and the only man I will give my body to is my husband. I won't deny that I am attracted to you but, I won't sleep with you."
Incomprehension tore through him. Was she playing coy? But he knew she was a virgin. "There's nothing wrong with giving your body to a man you desire."
Inka heard his frustration. "I know. Most of the tribeswomen lost their virginity early but I never found anyone who made me feel like it was worth it. You're the first man I feel strongly for, and it scares me. Even if you're the Emperor, I won't sleep with you."
His mouth fell into a severe line. "Are you resisting because you expect me to marry you?" It was a ploy he had encountered aplenty but, was smart never to fall into. Many women approached him with hidden intentions of trapping him and some claimed to have borne his children — old enough to pass as his young sibling. It turned him brutally wary.
"No, of course not." Her answer was calm and dignified. "I won't ever be any man's second. My parents had a monogamous marriage and as far as I am concern, they were faithful to each other until their deaths. I want a marriage like that. You're the Emperor of Xi and it's expected of you to marry a woman who can strengthen your position. I will never put myself in the position of heartache, of having to share you with someone else. It would break me."
Kyou understood but, he refused to listen. "I don't believe you can resist me." He forcefully shoved his fingers into her glistening pussy. "Your body doesn't lie."
She jerked from his invasion, her hands stopping his. "Please, don't. You can force my body but, I will hate you for this."
Angry at her for being impassive and rational while he was hard and taut as a bowstring, he rolled out of bed and straightened his clothes. "You're rejecting me — the Emperor of Xi." A hint of baffled arrogance in his tone. "I can have any woman I want, so playing hard to get won't help you achieve anything. If you change your mind, I will be waiting." His voice was cold and unfeeling — like a stranger. "You may use this chamber for the night."
"Kyou, please!" she begged, her eyes filling up with unshed tears.
He ignored her and left the chamber, needing time to cool off. When he was safely tucked away, he planted a fist into the wall. "Fuck! What have I done?"
He would never force a woman to sleep with him, and her distress left a bad taste in his mouth. He couldn't recognize himself, and his mother would have been appalled. This wasn't the respectful son she had raised. Kyou had never felt more conflicted or more like a selfish bastard.