Assassins Creed Forsaken

“I won't divorce you, Melissa. Until your last breath, you will live with me in this nameless marriage,” Radulf declared. Melissa Rosetta, the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha King and an omega servant, had no choice but to comply with her father's demand― marry Radulf De Lagrange, the fallen Alpha of the once-powerful Shadow Hunter Pack. Despite being the strongest dominant alpha, Radulf's influence and power crumbled when his father was accused of treason against the crown. As for Radulf's punishment? He was forced to marry a weak, wolf-less omega, who he had nothing but disdain for. To top it off, he was sent to the Western Frontier on his wedding day. Melissa eagerly awaited Radulf's return as she suffered through ridicule, believing that when he did, he would be happy to see how mighty his pack had become under her care. However, after four years, Radulf returned with a beautiful woman, shattering Melissa's heart. "You betrayed me while I stayed loyal to you. I don't want to live with you and watch your affair with another woman. Divorce me, Radulf, and free me from this marriage. If you don't wish to do that, then mark me,” Melissa demanded on the day of his return. “Divorce you, Feisty Princess? Never! If you want to get marked, then beg me or seduce me to do so,” Radulf challenged. On the day of his rut, he said, “Melissa, my mate, allow me to mark you.” ~~~~ Special thanks to my editor for refining the synopsis.

Betrayed by her fated mate and branded an outcast, Hailey's life has been nothing but pain—until she’s saved by Asher, the powerful Lycan king who becomes her second chance at love and freedom. But her past refuses to stay buried. Levi, the mate who rejected her, returns with a dangerous vendetta, while her presumed-dead twin, Celeste, reemerges with a deadly mission of her own. Caught between a king’s unwavering protection and a storm of old betrayals, Hailey must decide: fight for the love that could save her, or risk losing everything to the ghosts of her past.

"Long ago, the Cursed Supreme , Zorthaal was sealed away, his soul bound to a newborn child—Layron. He was meant to die, but a warrior saved him. Years later, weak and ridiculed, Layron longs for strength. That’s when he hears the voice—a whisper of power and revenge. Zorthaal has been waiting, and with every desperate wish, the seal weakens. Now, hunted by the Protectors and manipulated by the darkness within, Layron faces a choice: resist the voice or become the monster fate intended. Because once the seal breaks—Zorthaal will return.

Im Minsu, a young woman who returns to her quiet village after failing her graduation exams. With the weight of disappointment heavy on her shoulders, she seeks solace in the familiar surroundings of her childhood home, a hanok nestled in the heart of nature. However, what should have been a peaceful retreat quickly spirals into a series of mysterious events that shatter the calm. Minsu soon uncovers that her aunt, who disappeared without a word when Minsu was still in high school, had been involved in a dangerous pact with dark forces. Her aunt's sudden departure wasn't a simple escape—it was an attempt to shield Minsu from a curse that now seems to have followed her home. In the village, Minsu crosses paths with Kim Hyowon, the enigmatic owner of a local tea shop. His cryptic warnings and strange behavior draw her deeper into the web of dark magic that her aunt had been entangled in. As she delves into the mystery of her aunt's disappearance and the shadowy forces at play, Minsu learns that the curse is not only tied to her family but to her very existence. As she navigates the haunting truths of the past, Minsu must confront powerful spirits and unravel her aunt’s secrets in order to stop the curse from consuming her too. Alongside Hyowon, who harbors his own hidden past, Minsu embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, facing trials that test her courage and strength. But the deeper she delves into the mystery, the more she realizes that the battle is not just about survival—it’s about reclaiming her future and her identity, even if it means confronting the ghosts of her past and the sins that have haunted her family for years.

"Even a panda must evolve to kill." Bai Feng was once a feared assassin—silent, deadly, and undefeated. But betrayal sent him to an early grave… only for him to wake up in an entirely new world. A world where spirit beasts rule the wild, and powerful cultivators hunt them for their cores. The worst part? He’s been reborn as a panda. A fat, fluffy, and seemingly harmless beast. In a world where only the strong survive, Bai Feng refuses to be prey. Armed with his past-life instincts, a mysterious evolution system, and sheer determination, he will carve his own path—whether by stealth, strength, or something even more terrifying. But as he fights to grow stronger, he begins to uncover a terrible truth: something is twisting the natural evolution of beasts, turning them into abominations beyond reason. And deep in the shadows, a force known as the Great Corruptor whispers his name… Will Bai Feng rise to become the apex predator, or will he lose himself to the very evolution he seeks?

A legendary assassin is tasked with eliminating a high school girl... who can see the future. But in every future, one thing is certain: he will never be able to kill her.

"What if pain was the price to uncover the truth you were born for?" The cursed chosen one This is what I felt After escaping the darkness meant freedom, but I soon realized it was always with me. Breaking my chains was only the beginning—my past haunts me, and I’m left wondering: Did I truly escape, or am I just a shadow running from itself? Did I disappear into nothingness, or did nothingness consume everything?

"Let's divorce. I'm finally letting you go," she said with scarce emotion on her lovely face. Seeing her resolve, he felt heaviness in his heart. His face darkened, clenching his jaw. "You can't leave me. You are bound to me for eternity." He forcibly grabbed her, pinning her on the wall, his hands started caressing her sensitive spots. "And your body... doesn't LIE," he whispered sensually, lips gently nibbling on her earlobe. Her breath hitched, her heartbeat racing.  Seeing her struggle to resist him, he smirked triumphantly. "You yearn for my touch and my kiss. You also desire me." The next thing she felt was his lips roughly brushing against hers in a hungry kiss. **** Neglected by the King Enslaved by the Queen Bullied by her royal siblings Hated by The Kingdom's Hero Ostracized by her own people EVE HAD ENOUGH! She ripped off her disguise and began to fight back, flaunting her skills and talents– extremely beautiful, highly intelligent, proficient in medicinal knowledge, great combat skills, and with rare talent– Beast Taming!  Eve– the Forsaken Princess will ascend to the throne, not just conquering kingdoms but also capturing the hearts of the powerful gentlemen– A Hero Knight, An Infamous Hunter, and the Tyrant Crown Prince! Like a phoenix rising from ashes, Eve reruns her life, determined to trample everyone with her vengeance. [ Warning: Mature Content, R18+ ]

HEED MY ADVICE, TO ALL WHO WILL LISTEN, THE FURY OF A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON REVENGE, EVEN IN THE FACE OF DEATH, IS A RECKONING THAT SPARES NO ONE. The Dukedom Heiress Luella Van-Rensselaer thought that by doing everything her family needed, she would have the beautiful and loving family she had always wanted. However, she ends up getting betrayed by her own twin sister and her fiancé. Having gotten fed up with her family and how badly they had put her through, Luella wishes for death, which her sister gives to her as she ends up dying in the hands of her sister and fiancé. Finally, finding the peace she had always wanted, she wakes up to when she was eighteen (18) years old as the funeral service of her father. And now filled with nothing but rage and memories of her past, she now aims to destroy the entire dukedom with its name. The Van-Rensselaer dukedom will end WITH her and BY her. ~+~ A MAN WHO LOVES HIS WOMAN WITH NO POWER OR WEALTH IS NOTHING BUT A DREAMER; BUT A MAN WHO LOVES HIS WOMAN WITH POWER AND WEALTH IS A PROTECTOR, WORTHY TO BE BY HER SIDE. And that was what Grand Duke Ozed Rhinelander was. A man who went to war for his woman, accumulated wealth for his woman, lives for his woman. And he would kill for his woman. When Luella decides to take revenge on her family, she goes to one person she fully trusts. ~+~ ~Fragment~ "Do you want this?" His voice was low, almost a growl, but there was a hint of something else beneath — something that made her heart skip a beat. She swallowed hard, her throat dry. The question hung in the air between them, heavy and tangible. "I… I don't know," She finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper. His lips curled into a smirk, a slow, dangerous smile that sent shivers down her spine. "Liar" he murmured, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through her. "You want this. You want me." She opened her mouth to protest, to deny it, but he didn't give her a chance. His hand shot out, gripping her chin roughly, forcing her to look up at him. "Do you want me to prove it?" He asked, his voice dripping with challenge. ~+~ Tags: #Revenge #Strongfemalelead, #norape, #reincarnation, #Fakeidentity, #EdwardianEra, #VampireRomance #Smut #Supernaturalpowers #magic #darkfantasy #long-distance pining (The main characters are aware of each other's feelings but can't be physically be together yet. IN THE BEGINNING CHAPTERS). ~+~ Cover is mine. DO NOT USE ____ @AR

After a successful mission leaves him traumatized, A young assassin is sent off to a school for assassins where he is expected to learn more about himself, and to overcome his problem, thus fully stepping into the world of Assassins. However, there’s more to this school than meets the eye.

Forsaken Bloodline – Once the blood flows, it cannot be undone. At Raventhorn High, strength is everything. While a few students are normal, most are superhuman, gifted with extraordinary abilities. But behind the school’s prestigious reputation lies a dark secret—an underground organization known as the Superhuman Mafia, controlling everything from the shadows. Their deadliest weapon? A drug that amplifies power… but often at the cost of life itself. Julian was once at the top—the #1 Masterclass student—but he lost everything when his bloodline’s power erased his memories. Now, just another junior, he begins to notice a disturbing pattern: students who take the drug either change… or vanish forever. Determined to uncover the truth, Julian dives into the deadly world—only to realize that the ones running the show aren’t the true masterminds but... Someone far more dangerous is pulling the strings. And they’ve been waiting or coming for him. Hunted by assassins, trapped between enemies, and forced to confront the mysteries of his own bloodline, Julian’s journey will take him far beyond Raventhorn High—to other countries, hidden organizations, and possibly even other worlds. Who is he really? Why do they want him dead or alive? And how deep does this conspiracy go? The truth is buried in blood. The hunt begins. Add this novel to your library and don’t miss a single chapter! Warning: This novel features intense action, mature themes, and complex characters. Reader discretion is advised.

Ethan Fang had everything—wealth, success, and a peaceful life—until his greedy relatives betrayed and murdered him. But fate wasn’t done with him yet. He wakes up in a new world as Leonard Drakos, the twelfth prince of the Holy Drakos Empire. Considered weak and useless in a kingdom ruled by sword and magic, he now has a second chance to rise above everyone who looks down on him. With the memories of his past life and a burning desire for revenge and power, Leonard vows to take control of his destiny. This time, he will not be the one left behind—he will reign supreme!

For millennia, he has walked unseen, a shadow in history’s wake. Cain. The First Murderer. The Forsaken. Cursed with immortality, burdened by the Mark that even gods fear, he has watched empires rise and fall, his bloodline shaping the creatures that lurk in the dark—vampires, witches, werewolves, and more. But now, he is just Karan Malhotra—a devoted husband, a loving father, a man who has built a quiet life in India, far from the horrors of his past. His family knows nothing of the monster that legend whispers about. And he intends to keep it that way. Until the call comes. An unearthed secret. A disturbance in the supernatural world. A power tied to his cursed blood. Every faction—vampires, hunters, demons, and even divine beings—wants it. And they all want him back. Forced to return to Los Angeles, Cain is thrust into a war of his own making, where his long-lost descendants, old enemies, and ancient forces are converging. Some worship him. Some want him dead. And some seek to unlock the final secret of his curse. Now, as the past collides with the present, Cain must fight to protect the only thing that has ever mattered—his family. But to do so, he may have to become the very legend he fears… Because in a world ruled by his blood, the First Monster is still the strongest.

Leo awakens in a world he doesn’t recognize, with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. All he knows is that survival isn’t just a necessity—it’s his only chance to uncover the truth. Thrown into a brutal test for assassins on a hostile alien planet, Leo quickly discovers an extraordinary instinct for combat and evasion—abilities that feel second nature, yet remain a mystery even to him. But as the blood-soaked trials unfold, whispers of his lineage begin to surface. In a universe where gods are eternal and invincible, Leo carries the blood of the one being who defied that rule: the Timeless Assassin, a legend feared by mortals and deities alike. Now, hunted for what he represents and burdened by a legacy he can’t yet comprehend, Leo must forge his path through a deadly labyrinth of enemies, alliances, and cosmic conspiracies—all while piecing together the fragments of his forgotten past. For in the shadows of his fractured identity lies a truth that could shake the heavens themselves. -------- NOTE - The MC in this story is a cunning vigilante type character who is morally gray and will often make questionable choices not befitting a traditional 'Hero' type character. Find me on discord at - raj_shah_7152 or join the server - https://discord.gg/rFXGz9NBe2

Kenji and Reika Kurozawa never wanted to run a family of assassins. But when Kenji’s parents died, they had no choice. Their will tied him and Reika to the top, and walking away wasn’t an option—not unless they wanted to end up dead or worse. Their parents had made sure of that, keeping them uneducated, unqualified for normal jobs, and way too deep in the family business to escape. Kenji isn’t the first to feel trapped. His older brother and plenty of others ran while they still could. After that, the family cracked down, banning school so no one else got any bright ideas about leaving. And now, Kenji gets it. The deeper he digs into his family’s past, the more he realizes—there’s no end to how bad it gets. The Kurozawas built their empire on pure horror, and if he tries to tear it down, his whole family is going down with it. And as if that wasn’t bad enough? A long-lost family member just walked back in, bringing a whole mess of problems with them. On top of that, Kenji’s kids—reckless, clueless, and constantly screwing up—keep handing their new patriarch endless reasons to make their life miserable. Kenji wanted to fix his family. Now he just has to survive it.

I closed my eyes and let out a long, shuddering breath. The needle slipped through my numb fingers and clattered onto the rough pavement. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. No one would miss me, and if any did...? Well, there was always someone else to beat or rape. They'd move on quickly. But then...gods? Since when did nothingness have so many gods? Chosen by the goddess of Fate, I'm thrust into a world of magic and wonder alongside nine other heroes. A world where the gods reign supreme, and evil is vanquished before it can spread its blight. Can such a place truly exist? Could life really be worth living? I've heard that the brightest lights cast the longest shadows, but my life has been nothing but darkness. Perhaps this new world will be the chance I need to find the light, to see the other side. Discord: https://discord.gg/PX3xqJdZMY

In a world where magic has shattered law and order, the strong rule, and the weak are forgotten. Justice is no longer blind. It is bought in blood. Lucian Vance is a mercenary with a rare gift: Remnant Sight; the power to track anything, anyone, anywhere. He sells his skills to the highest bidder, caring nothing for right or wrong. Until one night, everything changes. Hired to hunt down a rogue mage, Lucian finds the target already dead, but a little girl left behind. A child marked by forbidden runes, a power that should not exist. Before he can walk away, the ones who sent him turn against him. Now, Lucian is the hunted. Every assassin, mage, and warlord in the underworld wants the child dead. The Ebon Veil, the Pale Choir, and the shattered remains of the old world all whisper the same thing; she is a prophecy, a curse, a weapon. But Lucian doesn’t believe in fate. With blood on his hands and a past that won’t let him go, he must uncover the truth before the world burns around them. Because there is one question no one dares to ask: Why is the child there, and why should she die??

“Some things aren’t meant to be stolen… Some names aren’t meant to be crossed.” Archer Creed walked away from the world of blood and bullets, trading his ruthless past for a life of quiet love. A voluntary retirement from the Justice Holders—an organization that governs the city from the shadows—meant leaving behind the name that once struck fear in the underworld. But peace is a fragile thing. One night, a group of lowly thugs made a fatal mistake. They took his father’s last gift—a custom-made revolver, a relic of his past, the only thing that still kept his father close. They burned his home. They thought he was dead. They were wrong. Now, the Hunter has returned. And there will be no mercy. A storm is coming. And Archer Creed is the eye of it.

Every month, 500 people from around the world vanish. Some return—changed, empowered, and haunted by what they endured. Most never come back. The world has adapted. Those who return wield abilities beyond human comprehension, and a new global hierarchy has formed around them. From the weakest F-Tier to the legendary S-Tier, strength defines status. But above all stands the Myth-Tier, a level so unattainable that only ten individuals in history have reached it. No one knows who created the Forsaken Arena—an abandoned battleground of forgotten gods, now used for their twisted amusement. But for those who are chosen, it is either victory or death.

In a world where monsters walk among men, hidden behind human faces, the Grimms have long stood as the last line of defense. But for Aldric Vael, being a Grimm was never a choice—it was a curse he was born into and a destiny he was abandoned to. As a child, Aldric’s parents, both legendary Grimms, were imprisoned by the Elderkind Dominion, a secretive order that seeks to control the balance between humans and the monstrous Veydir. To protect him, they left him behind, alone and hunted. Surviving on sheer instinct, Aldric roamed the wilds until an old Grimm found him and forged him into a warrior. Now, years later, Aldric has uncovered the truth—his mother escaped captivity and has been searching for him. But she is not the only one looking. The Dominion has resurfaced, tightening its grip on the world, while powerful Veydir factions like the Blackfang Pact and the Hollowborn Cult conspire in the shadows. Worse still, supernatural beings long thought to be myths—the Forgotten Ones—are awakening, bringing chaos in their wake. Armed with more than just the ability to see the Veydir, Aldric wields forgotten Grimm powers: the Veil Sight to glimpse hidden truths, the Blood Awakening that grants him terrifying strength, and the Echo of the Ancestors, allowing him to channel the skills of Grimms long past. But even with these gifts, he is still just one man against a world that wants him dead. To uncover the fate of his parents and break the cycle of war between Grimms and Veydir, Aldric must walk the fine line between hunter and hunted. But as enemies close in from all sides, one question remains—will he reclaim his legacy or be consumed by the darkness he fights?

A man rejected by the will of the world he grew up in for all of his life, and a genius with infinite potential who fell as a result of making a risky bet. Under the machinations of the deceased Heavenly Emperor, Huang Xian, two unfortunate souls from entirely different worlds got saved and fused together into a new whole, adopting the identity of the latter–Theodore Winter, the heir to one of the Supreme Pillars of the Heavenly Court. As an eon-spanning competition to decide the next generation of Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress began, it brought with it a game of wits, power and plots that would shake the Heavenly Court to its core. Reincarnators, Transmigrators and Regressors were barely qualified to chase after the unprecedented monsters that had been brought into being for the express purpose of rising above the rest. Battles between peers were like peeling an onion–nobody ever knew just how many cultivation realms and Talents the other had hidden away to catch his opponents off guard. With a saint-like image and the heart of a devil, Theodore Winter entered the fray. Unbeknownst to all, other than returning triumphantly, he was entrusted with another task: To kill Huang Xian’s murderer–his wife, the Heavenly Empress! ------------------------- Read advance chapters (by paying for my meals) on Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/sh1ro My novel series "Reincarnation Cycle's Unfortunate Bug" on Amazon: • https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYHGRR8M/ Discord Server (currently under construction): • https://discord.gg/NdAjjmXSDh ------------------------- Hi there, this is Shiro / the author. Just one little cautionary warning here: Due to being set in an entirely alternate world from ours, while some terms and concepts might seem familiar at first glance, many in actuality are not. In canon, the World's Will of a world exactly like our own 'got inspired' by memories that it secretly glimpsed from the Heavenly Emperor, thereby creating extremely loosely related concepts in its own universe. So never expect anything to work in the same way as something that you are already familiar with, because chances are very high that it won't be the same at all. (Yes, I just blatantly flipped the script.) I hope you'll enjoy The Heavenly Empress' Assassin! ------------------------- Current Release Schedule: • 5 chapters per week • 1 chapter every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (at ~11 p.m. GMT+1) (More chapters can appear as bonus chapters, so this is the absolute minimum.) • Vote with Power Stones to read more chapters in the week after the results are in! -> Top 100: +1 chapter -> Top 50: +2 chapters -> Top 10: +3 chapters -> Top 5: +4 chapters -> 1st Place: +5 chapters - Chapter length: ~2k words on average

Betrayed before birth. Hunted as an infant. Raised in exile. Valerius was never meant to live. The rightful heir to Eryndor, his existence was erased before he could even claim his throne. But fate is cruel it did not grant him death, only suffering. Years later, the forgotten son of a fallen empire steps into a world that cast him aside. With nothing but his strength, his will, and the blood of the greatest dynasty in history, he will carve his path forward through war, through ruin, through fire. From slaying monsters in the shadows to waging war against intergalactic forces that threaten existence itself, Valerius will stop at nothing. He fights not for glory, not for vengeance but to protect those he loves. And the lengths he will go to achieve that are limitless.

Akane, a skilled young assassin, seeks revenge for her parents' murder. She and her cousin Yuta complete a mission, but Akane senses they're being watched. Back at their hideout, she encounters the master assassin, a mysterious figure whose true intentions are unknown. This chance meeting sets Akane on a path of uncertainty and danger.

Born into a world of magic and mystery, Sylas Vael is no ordinary child. From an early age, he senses the unseen forces that shape reality, the hidden power flowing through all things. But the path to strength is neither easy nor kind. As he grows, Sylas begins to unravel the secrets of mana, forging bonds and testing his limits in a world filled with warriors, mages, and rulers vying for power. Yet, beyond the peaceful life he’s come to cherish, shadows stir, and whispers of the unknown call to him. With destiny looming on the horizon, his journey is only beginning.

Pralaya, a young boy named after a god abandoned by even the heavens, endures a living hell at home. Brutalized by his alcoholic father and ignored by his timid mother, Pralaya's very name is a constant reminder of his parents' disdain. He lives in the lower depths of Gaia, a city once envisioned as a utopia but now fractured into rigid social classes. When a sudden explosion rocks the city, Pralaya's bleak existence is violently disrupted, thrusting him into a world far beyond his abusive home. As chaos descends, Pralaya discovers that his cursed name might be more than just a symbol of misfortune, and that the forsaken god within him may hold the key to Gaia's future, and his own survival. Will he succumb to the darkness that surrounds him, or rise to defy his destiny and reshape the entire world

A prophecy ignored. A kingdom bathed in betrayal, and a boy who would one day shake the world. Kael, a young innocent boy who does not know what his future holds, watches as his mother's blood hits the cold marble floor and her last breath is stolen by the man he once called father. After the merciless slaughter of his mother, he experiences something new, rage, sorrow, and something darker. With one strike he murders his own father. "What is the prophecy? What will be the fate of Kael on this journey?" UNRAVEL THE PROPHECY IN FORSAKEN VOW

An abandoned street kid awakens the class of assassin and takes the world by storm with his power . When everyone was expecting him to be a serious individual to lead their world he turned out to be a chaos loving person and would most likely be found in the most chaotic area . This is a story of Lu Xiao Tian growing from a feral kid to the world's strongest assassin .

[Trigger Warning: Mature Content] They say the Silvermoonlight Masquerade changes fates. It did for Lydia Ashford too, but she lost more than she gained. In a world where strength defines worth, she was wolfless, but she refused to be weak. With beauty that shimmered like stardust in the midnight sky and a mind as sharp as a dagger, Lydia was a name spoken with both awe and envy. But admiration was never enough. She forged her own path, honing her combat skills, proving her intelligence, and standing beside Theodore Sinclair, the Alpha’s son, through every challenge. If she could not shift, she would rise in every other way. The Masquerade should have been another step toward securing her future. Yet fate had other plans. One sip of wine. One moment of weakness. One stranger’s touch. And everything she built turned to ash. The man she trusted turned his back on her. The pack that once praised her cast her aside. And the child growing inside her became her only reason to survive. Banished. Forgotten. A name only whispered in shame. Yet, Lydia did not break, she endured. Five years later, she returns—not as the girl they discarded, but as a woman ready to reclaim her life. But fate is not done with her. Because the man who marked her as his? The one who unknowingly fathered her child? He’s standing right in front of her. And this time, he’s not letting her go. ...... The glass hovered near her lips.  "Drink," Nickolas commanded, his voice rough with hunger.  Lydia obeyed, parting her lips as the rich, red liquid flowed onto her tongue. But before she could swallow, his mouth was on hers—hot, demanding, merciless.  The wine spilled between them, sliding over her lips, down her chin. But he didn’t stop. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping inside, stealing the taste straight from her mouth, devouring every shaky breath she tried to take.  By the time he pulled away, she was trembling.  His fingers tilted the glass. A slow trickle of wine spilled onto her collarbone, rolling between her breasts, gliding down her stomach.  The moment the first drop touched her skin, his mouth followed.  His lips grazed the delicate curve of her neck before he dragged his tongue along the slick trail of wine, chasing every drop as it slipped between her breasts. His teeth scraped her skin, and before she could react, he latched onto her, sucking deep, his tongue flicking and teasing before his mouth sealed around her hardened peak.  Lydia arched beneath him, her hands fisting into the sheets as heat coiled low in her stomach.  "Nickolas," she gasped, her voice breathless, desperate.  He groaned against her skin, his grip tightening on her waist as he sucked harder, the wet heat of his mouth sending pleasure pulsing through her veins. He alternated between sharp, aching nips and long, slow strokes of his tongue, drawing soft moans from her lips. "Messy," he murmured, his voice thick with satisfaction as he pulled back just enough to watch her squirm beneath him. His fingers traced the path the wine had taken, slow, possessive.  Then his lips brushed lower, over her navel, his breath a sinful caress against her heated skin.  He smirked against her. "I thought your laughter was the most beautiful sound to my ears…" His fingers slid between her thighs, teasing, coaxing, pushing her to the edge without giving her what she needed.  Then, with a slow, deliberate bite against her inner thigh, he whispered, "Until I heard your moans."  A sharp gasp escaped her lips as he kissed her again, his hands gripping her hips, holding her right where he wanted.  "Nickolas," she whimpered.  He chuckled darkly, his lips trailing back up her body, lingering at her throat before he spoke against her ear. "I could get drunk off you."  Lydia swallowed, her body burning, her thoughts unraveling.  But deep down, she already knew—she was the one drowning.