Chapter 33: Harmony - Hunger & Harmony

A resounding thud of the doors echoes through the emptied throne room. Letting my crown slide down my hair, I relax back in my throne. Candles are burning low, and the Vox Crown’s hushed music quiets to near silence.

“You did well,” Niko says to me, and I flick my eyes towards him.

The ceremony has concluded, and the cameras and Court have dispersed. Only one remains in front of us.

“The true makings of a queen,” Archduchess Imara agrees.

Over the hours since her public apology, she’s warmed up. More than I thought possible. I give her a grateful smile, knowing she’s hanging around for a reason.

“Is there something on your mind?” I ask.

She nods, hands clasped at her waist. I once thought of her blood red nails and staunch dresses as intimidating. I now understand that her inflexible perfection is armor. Becoming a vampire made her all the more human to me.

“I would like a private word with you both, Your Majesties.”

Niko dismisses the guards at the doors, leaving us alone with her. Her posture tightens.

“It wasn’t only the prophecy that had been twisted,” she starts.

I exchange a glance with Niko. He offers his hand, and I gladly take it.

“A working manager under Arteria,” she says. “Lorelai. Her interference goes deeper than we thought, and whoever she’s loyal to lurks in our Court.”

I squeeze Niko’s hand. So, it’s true. She deliberately set me up. She’s a traitor in sheep’s clothing.

“We weren’t prepared. I was blinded, and trusted what I feared over truth.” She looks at Niko, her voice wavering. “My brother, the late King, was never kind—but he was clever. I suspect the same traitor rewriting prophecy and conspiring with the Order of Ash betrayed him much the same.”

Niko’s fingers tighten. I don’t know much about his father, only bitter fragments.

“It takes only one rotten apple,” he murmurs, and she nods curtly.

“While Her Majesty is Resonant, I fear whoever sought her out will not stop.” Her red eyes meet mine, earnest and clear. “I pledge my undivided allegiance to you both. I will no longer be blinded by false ideologies.”

I nod my understanding. My appreciation, too. I recognize she never wanted to overthrow Niko’s crown. If anything, she became a puppet trying to protect these thrones.

“We’ll find this rotten apple,” I say.

“We will,” Niko agrees sharply. “There will be no more blood spilled at their hands.”

The Archduchess’s shoulders relax, even slightly. I see a woman who has held a lot. Even wrong beliefs. I have it in my heart to work with her, and looking ahead, we may need it.

“For now, I will keep a close eye on Sancte Noctis,” she continues. “I assume you are headed west for Sunveil?”

I glance over at Niko, finding him nodding softly.

“We are.”

She bows her head again.

“Enjoy this time of respite, Your Majesties. Congratulations once more on your union.”

Our union.

Beauty has sprouted from betrayal. Love has grown in the cracks of tragedy. My resolve has strengthened. Not just to face difficulties, but to enjoy every moment truly.

My hand is still in Niko’s, and I give it an affectionate squeeze as I turn to him.

“Ready to go home?” he asks.

As I smile, my crown tips further, nearly sliding off my hair. Our laughter fills the dimming hall.

“After we put this in a safe place.”

* * *

Music fills the room as Niko runs a brush through my damp hair. Not just any kind.

It’s cloyingly upbeat, just how I like my pop music. Fun, fresh, and the complete opposite of Arteria’s sound. As the bubblegum tempo tapers off, Niko doesn’t seem perturbed about it. More intrigued than anything else.

“So . . . this is your favorite music?”

When I nod, he hums thoughtfully.

“Not bad. I’d like to hear more. A good artist doesn’t limit his listening, after all.” He pats the top of my head with his spare hand. “And a good man shares in his love’s interests.”

“Aww!”

I’m currently nestled between his legs on the floor, unable to contain my giggles. Why is he so cute?

Just as I open my mouth to tell him as such, a funny truth comes to mind. It’s not a secret, but it’s not something he’d know unless I told him. With a sheepish grin, I lean back on him, peering up.

“Can I . . .be a little honest?”

When I bat my lashes, he raises a brow at me. The pink detangler brush points at me.

“How can one be only a little honest?”

Stifling another giggle, I shrug at his upside-down face.

“I didn’t hear a full song of yours until Sunveil’s opening night.”

I watch the mental calculations run through his brain. His jaw then falls open.

“Not one?”

“Probably not more than twenty seconds for any song,” I admit, and his eyes widen further.

Then, he tosses the brush aside to clutch his chest. He falls back, his hurt pout fading as he pretends to pass away. Tongue out and all.

“I’m sorry!” I shriek, giggling as I turn and climb up his body.

“It’s too late for me,” he murmurs, eyes closed as he slumps back on the bed. “My love, my starlight, never cared for my music.”

“You wanted to know my favorite songs! I just honestly never liked rock music!” I defend through laughter.

I straddle his lap, pushing at his chest playfully as I grin down at him. When he cracks an eye open, a soft smirk tugs at his lips.

“How will I ever live with this knowledge?” he teases.

Before I can answer, a pair of hands finds my hips. We’ve only been back a couple of days, and this has been our first time completely alone since arriving. Midnight is early for us, and we won’t have to answer to anyone until the sun rises and sets again.

“I mean, I like your music.”

I pout when he closes his eyes again.

“Only now . . .”

He’s still teasing me. I glance over him, from his relaxed expression and freshly washed hair, to his body under mine. I shift on his lap. A very devious plan forms in my mind.

“Is there any way I can make it up to you?” I ask, not subtle in how I start slowly rocking on his lap.

A short hiss emits through his fangs. His eyes fly open to watch me.

We haven’t gone further than the first night he tasted me. In all this time, I haven’t been able to return the pleasure. Or go beyond kisses and cuddles.

He’s a loverboy, for sure, but he’s almost too selfless. As I slowly grind in his lap, I watch his pupils dilate, and feel his fingers tighten on my hips. Only thin pajamas separate his skin from mine.

This hyper-awareness is different as a vampire. There’s no racing heart or quickened breath, but I still feel it. Deeper, even more ravenous than my bloodthirst. I want every inch of him; I want him to quell this fire between my thighs.

“Cadence,” he whispers, tone too measured for my liking.

“Yeah?” I reply sweetly, like I’m not feeling his desire swelling under my ass.

His grip on my hips tightens, maybe in an attempt to slow me, but all he succeeds in is guiding me.

“What is it?” I tease, and he groans quietly.

Even if he won’t do the talking, another part of him does. There aren’t enough layers between us to hide how he throbs against me.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he finally says, almost choked up. “Thought about every way I could have you.”

That leaves me dizzy, my desire spiraling hotter.

“I want you, too.”

My words shred the last of his resolve. I gasp when he lifts me, my back pushed into the bed where he just was.

“Just hearing that . . .” His gaze burns into mine. “Fuck, I can’t believe I get to call you mine.”

My wide eyes flutter shut when he slots between my legs, pressing himself against my clothed pussy.

“From the moment I saw you, smelled you,” he continues. “I want every part of you, Cadence. You’re mine, all mine.”

“Yours,” I say without hesitation, earning another groan.

This is different than last time. Our bond is completed, and we’re joined now as king and queen, husband and wife. I want this. I want him to claim me fully and let me feel every part of his devotion.

“I don’t wanna wait.”

I tug at the end of his shirt, and the black cotton disappears a moment later. He helps work me out of my own clothes, a pile gathered on the floor after we’re skin to skin.

I can’t help but drag my eyes down from his burning gaze, traveling over the scorpion and the thin, happy trail leading to his straining length. My tongue instinctively swipes over my lips as I stare.

“I’ve always been touted as a rake and a player, but my encounters don’t surpass counting on my hands,” he says, and I meet his electric gaze again. “I’m glad it’s only you now. I want to learn your body, Cadence. Map every inch of you until your pleasure is instinct.”

He leans down to kiss me, cock throbbing against my inner thigh. I shudder, whimpering against his lips.

“I want to mold your body to mine. Only I can please you,” he murmurs.

My clit throbs for attention, and as we kiss, I grind and angle my hips desperately. I’ve never wanted anything so badly. I can’t wait another moment.

“P-Please,” I stutter through a moan. “Niko, please.”

“What? Please, what, my love?”

I reach up, fingers finding his back and waist. I’m damn near clawing at him, needing him so much closer.

“Need you,” I whisper, frantic. “Love me, show me how much you love me.”

If he doesn’t stop looking at me like that without getting inside me, I’m on the verge of losing it.

When I feel his tip press against me, I let my head fall back. He’s still taking his time, but it’s not hesitation. He runs his cock against my folds, pressing to my clit. When my body jerks in response, a wanton grin pulls at his lips, and he slaps my clit with his cock.

“Fuck,” I whimper, nails digging into his back.

My thighs shake, and I buck against him. This teasing is making my head spin.

“You want this?” he asks, voice deepened by desire.

“God, please,” I answer, not ashamed to beg.

I’m rewarded a moment later, his cock dragging down my pussy until he’s pressing into me.

Shuddering, my mouth falls open as he pushes deeper. He’s so close now, one hand to the right of my head and the other cradling my waist. When I flutter my eyes open to meet his searing gaze, he leans in to capture my lips with a kiss. He’s stretching me deliciously, and we share a moan when he’s completely buried.

“Fuck.” He hisses, whole body tense like he’s barely holding it together.

“Niko . . .” I whimper, tummy somersaulting with him so deep.

My back arches when he tests pulling back. He swears again before shallowly thrusting forward, making goosebumps sweep over my body.

His touch is intoxicating. I’ve never felt this good or this close to someone. Each gentle thrust sends pleasure down to my toes and back up to my half-lidded eyes. His pace builds, and with that, my chants of his name.

My hand snakes down between us, and I gasp when I rub my sensitive clit. I clamp around him, my pussy fluttering as my orgasm builds.

I feel it more now as a vampire. The scent of his cologne, the vivid contrast between shadow and his electric irises, and every touch between us. I’ve never felt anything so intensely.

“I love you,” I manage to say between moans. “I love you so much!”

His wrecked expression flickers for an endearing smile. He reaches for my face, caressing my cheek as he rolls his hips forward.

“And I love you. Endlessly.”

I melt under his affection. It’s all I can take—our love, our bond, our bodies moving together in perfect sync. I quickly come undone, ecstasy painting stars across my vision as white-hot pleasure tears through me.

“Inside,” I gasp out when his hips stutter.

With another groan, he buries himself all the way inside. Our bodies join in pleasure, wave after wave cascading over me as he finishes.

My hands rest limp on his back, clinging to him as we come down from our shared high.

“Cadence . . .” he murmurs, still joined to me as he rests his weight on me.

It feels good. His face in my neck, and our arms wrapped around each other. The heat of intimacy lulls into quiet peace. We stay like that, just enjoying the afterglow.

In the distance, Sunveil’s Friday night continues with cars speeding and honking. I forget what moon phase it is today. Maybe we can get our sunglasses and hoodies again to go see her. Though with him so close, it’s hard to think about leaving this bed.

“We have to shower again,” I say after a long stretch of just being.

“After.”

I tilt my head, glancing down at him.

“After? After what?” I ask.

His lips suddenly press to my neck, earning a squeal from me when he nibbles the marks he put there.

“Round two.”

I gasp, giggling uncontrollably when he kisses along my neck.

“Your queen demands you stop tickling her!” I exclaim after I accidentally snort.

He chuckles against my jaw before placing a delicate kiss.

“I will oblige, then. Whatever you wish for is yours, queen of my heart.”

Smiling, I tug him closer to my face.

“Whatever I wish for?” I place a sweet kiss on his lips. “That’s a tall ask considering I have everything I want.”

It’s cheesy, and we’re both laughing, but it’s true. Even after this honeymoon, we’ll return to West Court Records. I want to be a part of the process and help in some way for Arteria’s next album. I also want to do my best as Sancte Noctis’ new queen.

“Everything?”

I nod without hesitation. I do have everything I want. Beyond my wildest dreams. More than freedom and music, I have love. For myself, for Niko, for friends and family, and for the life I’m living.

“I’m glad.” He brushes my hair back, his gaze softening. “I feel much the same, my starlight.”

Fate showed us the way, but we’ve chosen this path together. Hunger didn’t have to be destruction, but harmony was an intentional choice. It didn’t come without sacrifice.

Rules were never meant to hold us. They bent just enough for us to be brave enough to choose.

Because together, we became both.

Together, we’re hunger and harmony.