All of his existence, he'd spent in darkness.
Hundreds of years, feeling nothing but coldness and cruelty, whether by his own Court or within his own heart. It was a feeling he had grown used to, that he had come to enjoy once he'd grown into his name and title. It was easy to give into his darker nature, so he had never tried to thwart his wicked inclinations.
Depravity was such a sweet elixir and it had filled him up in a life where there was only emptiness.
When his blade had long since tasted the blood of his enemies and his brother's kingdom was no longer threatened, he'd begun to pursue other endeavors. He had been built for war, but he didn't require bloodshed to tap into that viciousness that lived inside his soul.
Thus, he began to make bargains with mortals, taking advantage of their greedy hearts, and their own twisted nature. He gave to them while also taking. Cattle, years of their lives, children. None of it mattered to him. He would only be delivering those objects to his brother, to their Court to keep it thriving and strong.
But the years had been long and all too soon he'd grown bored of bargaining. Mortals were all the same. Weak and selfish, only ever seeking him out for their own needs. And the ones who strutted into his domain, claiming to be there for a relative? Wanting to save the life of some poor, sickly relation?
They always backed down when his demands were known. Give him their first born child and he would cure whatever ailment bothered the one they claimed to love.
None of the humans ever agreed, always slinking away into the shadows, only to return days later, seeking another bargain. Riches, lands or the love of someone they coveted. When he sought their children again to complete the bargain, the humans were always more than willing to comply with his request.
He could almost admire them if he didn't despise their ilk.
He had long since determined that all of them were worthless creatures.
Until...
Until he'd found the one human who didn't turn his stomach, and instead ignited a fire inside himself he'd never quite felt before. Not truly and not wholly as he did now.
He felt alive for the first time in centuries and it was due to one mortal. One single individual who, without his help, was bound to live a short, mortal existence.
The thought turned his vision red, and the air around him darkened, the power inside him fighting to break free and take out the enemy that threatened the only happiness he'd ever truly known.
She was sleeping peacefully beside him, his mortal, with her small arms wrapped around his waist, completely unaware of the monster she'd let between her thighs. Her touch and the soft murmurs she made while she slept helped to calm the ever present evil that lurked inside him and he breathed a sigh of relief.
He held her closely, cocooning her small frame with his large body, much as he had done the last three weeks. His Calliope sighed, gently kissing his bare chest in her sleep before she whispered the name he'd given her. His heart beat painfully in his chest, reminding him that it was indeed present inside of him, and it belonged to the mortal held protectively in his arms.
How had he been foolish enough to fall in love with a mortal? If he hadn't become the Bargainer ages ago, he might have assumed his little mouse had made a deal with another of his kind, seeking his love in some sort of deal. But that wasn't true.
He'd been doomed from the start. From that first caress of her scent. He'd lost himself to her that very night when she'd readily sacrificed something precious for another. It was the first time someone had come to him selflessly. The first time he'd truly tasted the purity of a soul.
He'd needed more, wanted more, but he'd known he would only meet her again when she came to deliver her end of the bargain however many years later. Only, Calliope had returned to him that very next day, unaware that he'd been helpless but to stalk her through the woods, only revealing himself when she'd stood in the very spot they'd met.
His mouse, so brave when facing down a monster. So passionate.
So unaware that the small lie she'd told him had sealed another's fate that very night.
And then she'd shown a more sinful, carnal side to herself. If he hadn't been enthralled by her before, he most certainly was when she'd removed her cloak, standing in a nightgown that revealed everything, and asking for him to take her.
To ruin her.
Such words should never be whispered to one such as him, especially from the lips of an angel. And the fact that his little mouse had been a virgin? Truly innocent of another's touch but his own?
She was made to tempt him, made to challenge him. Simply madefor him.
Calliope was his. Forever.
He turned a sleeping Calliope onto her back, slowly edging his way down her body, his mouth leaving a trail of wet kisses as he sought his prize.
Her legs were tossed over his shoulders as his fingers spread her slit, exposing her already dripping cunt to his gaze. She was always so ready for him, aching for what only he would ever give her.
"Sam," she murmured, shifting restlessly.
How he longed to hear a far darker name escape her lips in the throes of passion...
He teased her dripping pussy, scooping up her sweet nectar and swallowing it down with a heady groan.
Calliope's fingers found his hair, tucking a few strands behind his ear before she caressed the tip, making him shudder. He looked up, watching the woman he cared for more than anything blink at him softly.
"Sam?" Her voice was thick with sleep, calling for him to join her, but he resisted.
"My darling," he whispered, climbing on top of her. He settled himself between her legs, his cock nudging her weeping entrance. "I have need of you."
Calliope smiled, tugging him down and into her arms. Her lips met his in a heated exchange and he groaned, still not accustomed to such blatant affection. Eventually her lips parted, and his tongue slid into her welcoming mouth.
He drank from her lips, taking from her gently until she was writhing beneath him, the scent of her lust something he could no longer ignore.
"Sam," Calliope whispered against his lips and he drank in her hard gasp when he sank home inside her snug cunt, claiming her. Always claiming her.
He kissed her once more, biting her lower lip. "You're mine, little mouse."
"You're mine too," she said on a choked gasp, meeting each of his thrusts.
He kissed Calliope harder, feeling the truth of her words sink into his very bones.