Serving Absynthe, page 2
* * *
Vivietia curtseys, “Yes, my queen, I will see it done.” When it is just us, we are never this formal, but Vi knows how things are done. It’s why she's still my assistant for the last one hundred years.
* * *
I make myself walk with purpose and don’t run upstairs like I want to. These men won’t be happy until I agree to marry Valco. Fuck that! I am not marrying a man who makes me want to throw up. Yes, he is pretty. I’ll give him that, but pretty only goes so far. I’d sooner marry his bodyguards, and hell, I don’t even know what they look like. I get to the top of the staircase, turn to the right, and run into a brick wall. A very deep timbre greets me, “Are you okay? Please forgive me, Your Grace. I am but a bull in a china shop who has lost his way,” he winks and I stand there staring up at this beautiful giant of a man. His hair is dark blonde and cut tight to his head. His eyes are the color of milk chocolate, his lips are firm, and his five o’clock shadow makes me shiver to wonder how it would feel against my sensitive skin. His muscles flex under his button-up shirt and I almost reach out and touch them. He is sexy as hell.
* * *
I clear my head, “No harm done. Who are you, and why were you in my wing? You and your companions belong on the other side of the fortress. My servants can direct you.”
* * *
He runs his hand through his hair and gives me a lopsided smile, “I am one of Balefor’s bodyguards. The name is Trebien, and I got turned around. Your fortress is huge. I’d apologize again, but I am not sorry for meeting a beautiful woman such as yourself. Thanks for your help though. It is very appreciated,” he bows and heads down the stairs with a swagger only a real man can achieve. I hold in my sigh as I enjoy the view. Now that is someone I wouldn’t mind showing my sex dungeon to. I fan myself with my hand to cool my heated skin as I head into my bedroom. Damn! I am never this easily flustered. I chide myself in the mirror, “Get your shit together, Absynthe. We have bigger fish to fry.” I head into my en-suite bathroom and grab a washcloth. I get the sink water nice and cool and wet it. I use it to cool down my heated skin. Feeling a bit better, I recheck my makeup. I really do love the waterproof stuff. My eyeliner is still on point. I reapply my red lipstick, use the toilet, wash my hands, and head back downstairs feeling more like myself.
* * *
Vi flits over to me as a fae once again, I hiss at her, “Why are you not in your human form? We have discussed this!” I watch her face drop and she turns human again. I look more closely at her. Her face has a large red mark in the shape of a hand if I’m not mistaken. Oh man, now I am pissed. No one touches what is mine. Ever! “Are you okay, Vi?” She nods, but I see the tear tracks running down her face. “Who did this?” Vi is one of the toughest women I know so if someone makes her cry, they will regret it.
* * *
The name comes off her lips with a shudder as her lip quivers, “Valco.” I am pissing mad now because I know why he hit her. She didn’t accept his advances.
* * *
“Go calm down in your room. I’ll take care of this.”
3
TREBIEN
I knew Absynthe might be my mate when I scented her outside the castle. When she bumped into me on the stairwell, I was positive of it. What a stunning creature she is. Dark in nature to be sure, but lovely like a rose whose thorns are poisonous. I needed to think clearly about this, but her scent is driving me mad. Mad with lust and want. This is not what I need right now. My friends and I got this bodyguard gig ten years ago, and even though Balefor and his son are pompous oafs, they pay well. My beast is pushing against my skin. He wants to seek out our mate. Keeping a Minotaur under control is a job in itself. He calls himself Brahman and he is an entity in his own right. He is me and I am him, but somehow he is also other. I take some deep breaths. I need a nap.
* * *
The house servant, Vivietia, enters the room and announces, “Dinner is going to be served in the formal dining hall. Please follow me.” I wait until the asshole who hired us stands and readies himself to go. His prick son, Valco, is staring at Vivietia like she is on the menu. I watch as he calls her over to him. She stiffly walks to his side. He grabs her hips and puts her in his lap. I start to head that way to stop him, but my boss stops me.
* * *
Putting his arm in front of me and barks, “Leave it!” I really hate this job. I can’t stand to watch as he harasses the sweet fae girl. I look away and stare at the ornate wall. My anger rises as I can still hear them. Suddenly, I hear her cry out as he slaps her so hard the sound echoes around the room. She covers her face with her hands, shifts, and flies off. I am about to choke the fucker when Absynthe bursts into the room. I am mesmerized by the fury that emanates from her in waves. Her anger is almost suffocating, but I breathe it all in. I can taste her dark necromancy as she calls the dead to her. Her zombie servants shamble into the room looking hungry, and I start to get nervous. Her eyes capture mine for a moment and I shudder at the madness I see lurking there. Brahman pushes harder to come out, and I am rock hard from that momentary glance. I shake myself out of it and take back control. The last thing we need is an angry bull, loose in the room. I can’t stop watching her though. I am held captive at that moment, wondering what she will do next.
* * *
Suddenly, she has a blade resting against Valco’s neck. Where it came from, I can’t be certain. Valco whimpers like the pussy he is. Balefor drops to his knees and pleads with the angry, yet beautiful goddess. Hot damn, she’s so fucking powerful. Job be damned, I never want to leave her side. She turns to me with a crazed grin, “You,” she commands me, “take this horrible excuse for a man to my dungeon.” She looks to the other side of the room at a female zombie, “Flora, show him the way. No biting.” I approach her slowly getting out the zip ties that I keep on me for situations like this.
* * *
She watches me tie him up with a look I cannot decipher. I try not to pay it any mind or let it bother me, but she is a puzzle I look forward to solving. Valco notices that I am the one who is latching his hands together. He sputters, “What the fuck, Trebien! You are my servant! Why are you helping her?” The way he spits out “her” makes me tighten the tie tighter than I should. I hear a ruckus in the hall. My best friends and fellow bodyguards are blocked from entry because of the zombies. The zombie girl waits patiently for me to finish so I can follow her. It makes me a bit uneasy, but I am compelled to help my future mate. Balefor continues begging for his son to be set free. He doesn’t even notice that I am the one tying him up.
* * *
I nod to Absynthe, and the zombie begins to head out of the room. The other zombies clear the way, but my friends stop me. Kaius steps forward, “What are you doing, Tre?”
* * *
I hold Valco’s arms tighter, “I will explain in a bit, I need to get him to the dungeon. Do not interfere.” I push past my comrades and catch up with the zombie who is obviously controlled by Absynthe.
* * *
Valco whimpers some more, “Please, Trebien, don’t do this to me. You’ve known me for ten years. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
* * *
“We are not friends. You were my employer’s son, and you’re a prick. I can’t stand you, and your father is an awful man. Neither of you has supernatural abilities. Money was your only way to get power. I’m sick of it, and I’m sick of your bullshit.” I punch him in the kidneys to make my point.
* * *
Valco cries like a baby, but he doesn’t talk anymore.
* * *
As we walk, I admire Absynthe’s home. I expected it to be more dark and creepy, but it’s well lit with flame sconces and lanterns. It’s impressive. I imagine living here with her one day and smile. I am still amazed that she is fated to be with me. We finally reach the staircase that leads to the dungeon, and why am I not surprised that there are more zombies down here? I sigh, I don’t think she will let them hurt me as I am doing this for her. Valco stumbles on one of the steps, and I almost go down with him. The light is dimmer down here, and my Beast is ready to kill everything in sight. There are some horrors down here that even I don’t want to face. She zombifies supernaturals, and they guard the dungeon. So this is where she hides the dark and creepy elements of the castle. Gotta give it to her though, this is some talent. I am directed to an empty cell and I toss Valco inside. “Turn around and put your back to the bars. I’ll untie you.”
* * *
I guess being behind bars makes Valco get a little brave, but it’s more like stupid. “Make me,” he says in his annoyingly nasal voice.
* * *
I grin at him with malice, “You sure you want to go that route? You want me to leave you tied up and helpless?”
* * *
Valco sniffs and all the bravado he was trying to show is wiped away. Shoulders drooping, head down, he turns around and puts his back against the bars. I cut the tie and punch him in the back, knocking him to the floor. “Now behave and who knows? Maybe Absynthe will show you mercy.”
* * *
Valco screams as I walk away, “Traitor!” I laugh, remembering that he is afraid of the dark. I blow out the only light in the dungeon. Take that, pretty boy asshole. He continues screaming, but when I get to the top his sounds are muted. I smile to myself and head to the dining hall. I’m starving and last I heard food was ready.
4
ABSYNTHE
I studied Trebien as he tied up Valco and left the room. He took so well to my commands, and I don’t think I mesmerized him. Not consciously anyway. Hmm, I will have to keep an eye on that one. I command my zombies through our link, sending most of them away. Looking around the room, my eyes fall to the pathetic man still begging on his knees. “Oh, dear… Poor… Poor… Balefor. It would seem that your men have left you to your own devices. Bully for me,” I walk over to him with slow calculated purpose. He crawls towards me, and I hiss at him, “Stay where you are! Do. Not. Touch. Me!” I put a bit of my compulsive magic into my voice as I command him. His eyes glaze over. I tsk him, “Humans, so easy to control. It bores me.” I turn to one of my insignificant servants who is under my compulsion, “You! Come here.” Balefor finally shakes himself out of my compulsion and watches the boy come to me.
* * *
“Did you know, Balefor, that when under my compulsion, you would let me do anything I want, and you’d do anything I ask? Take this boy, for example, he’s young and practically useless. But with one kiss, I could make him mine forever as a zombie.” I run my fingers through the boy's hair, he is about 20 years old. I don’t even remember where I found him. “Precious things you humans are, and so fragile.” I watch Balefor through my peripheral vision. I pull out my long athame from my thigh sheath and hand it to the boy. I tell him, “Slit your throat.” The boy slits his throat without a peep, and Balefor screams.
* * *
The boy drops to the floor, and I sigh, “It’s a shame I didn’t get to devour his essence, but he was good. I prefer essences that are filled with darkness and evil.” Balefor screams again when I head in his direction, “Hush, darling, the show is not yet over.” I reach for the boy’s body with my magic and compel him to rise and serve me. A new zombie is born.
* * *
Balefor is sobbing now, “Please, my Queen, let Valco and I be on our way. We will never grace you with our presence again. I just want to go home.” He flinches when I stand before him and reach down to touch his face, and I smile.
* * *
“Oh, Balefor, you will be going home, but you will be coming right back. You see, if you want your precious son back, you need to do a task.” I laugh maniacally, “Go home, Balefor. Go home, and bring back with you everything you hold dear. Money, deeds, weapons, vehicles, people under your care, and your lovely adopted daughter, Ria. When you do, I will give Valco back to you. Best be quick though, the zombies aren’t patient, and he’s a snack they won’t soon be denied.” Balefor gets off the floor and walks backward to the exit. I laugh at him, “Don’t worry. You are safe… For now.” I continue laughing as he falls over himself to get away from me. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.
* * *
“Vi!” I call out to her, “The problem has been taken care of. Come to me. It’s time for dinner. We still have guests.” I look around the room and grin. Balefor wasn’t loved by his bodyguards and servants. The four bodyguards, two drivers, and two servants are still sitting in my house. “Well, I assume since you are all still here, you would like to join me for dinner? We can discuss what I will do with each of you after we are fed.” Vi finally flits in and watches what I am doing.
* * *
“My Queen, you called me?” I raise a brow and frown at her.
* * *
“Shift and lead these guests to the dining hall. I will be there momentarily.” I watch as everyone follows Vi to eat. I am not sure what I am going to do with them. I think about Trebien and smile. I know what I want to do with him, but there are three other strong men in my home too. ‘Hmm, I may have to do a bit of compulsive magic, but if they are as hot as Trebien, they will make lovely playthings.’ I tap my chin, ‘this could be fun.’
* * *
Since I don’t eat much, I sit at the head of the table and watch everyone eat while I pick at my food. The female servant, that arrived with Balefor, stands off to the side. She doesn’t seem to know where she belongs. I beckon her with a wave of my hand, “Come here, girl, and let me look at you.” The girl blushes and bows then walks to me. I reach for her and grasp her arm gently, “Don’t worry, I won't bite. Tell me, what sort of servant are you? And what’s your name?”
* * *
The girl looks up at me with big blue eyes, and she whispers, “Iris. I’m a pleasure servant, My Queen. How may I please you?”
* * *
This perplexes me and I stare at her for a moment, “Do you like being a pleasure servant? How old are you? Most that I have met were forced into services of your station.”
* * *
I watch her look to the floor and fidget with the hem of her shirt, I lift her chin and she looks me right in the eyes. Brave girl. I smile at her and nod, encouraging her. She shakes her head, “I am twenty-three years, ma’am. There are parts of it I enjoy, but Balefor forced himself on me more times than I am able to say. He was a cruel master, but I think I’d enjoy pleasuring you, My Queen.” The girl blushes and I am fascinated by the way it spreads over her pale porcelain skin. “Please,” she begs, “let me show you how good I can make you feel. Don’t send me away. You are so beautiful, I will make a good pet. I promise.”
* * *
“Well then, be a good girl and please me. Let me see how worthwhile it will be to keep you here,” I tell her. I haven’t had a human pet in so long. She is a beautiful specimen with full lips that would probably feel incredible. My chair is wide enough that I part my legs and she settles between them. I am so glad I went commando today and my fishnet thigh-highs won’t get in the way. Her hands are soft but strong as she massages my thighs while kissing them. She slowly works her way up to my core. When she finally reaches where I want her, she blows little puffs of air over my slit, and my body arches toward her mouth. Damn, she wasn’t kidding about being skilled. I am already aching for her to feast on me. Her tongue penetrates between my lips and rolls around my sensitive clit. I know everyone at the table is watching and the way the bodyguards are moving, I know they are stroking their cocks. My head falls back as the girl wraps her lips around my nub, and bites down, sending an immediate wave of pleasure over me again and again. My mind tells me something is wrong but the multiple orgasms she is giving me feel so good that I can’t make her stop. I cry out over and over. It feels amazing, a high I could never reach on my own. She unlatches herself from me and looks up at me with a grin.
* * *
“You taste exquisite, My Queen, the best tasting blood I’ve ever had.”
* * *
I startle and look down at her. My blood is staining her mouth, sneaky little vampire. “You did not tell me you were otherworldly, girl. I should punish you, but I feel too damn good right now. Stay down there and wait until I can punish you properly. I close my legs and cross them. I eye the other people at my table and smirk, “Dinner and a show. You are very lucky indeed.”
* * *
I lean over the table with my hands clasped and finally take a look at the four hulking men at my table. Damn, I hope I am not drooling. These guys were made of sin and wet dreams. I thought Trebien was hot, but looking at his friends I wonder who grew such fine men. I feel their power emanating from them and know they must be some heavy hitters. Mythological shifters do exist, but they have taken to seclusion. I wonder how Balefor got his grubby hands on them. He must have paid them really well. I need a bit of extra energy after Iris’ feast and call Trebien to me. He stands and within seconds he is at my side. Reaching up I run my fingernails down his abs. He shudders as if no one has touched him in ages. I look up at him and crook my finger wanting him to bring his face closer to mine. He complies, and I whisper into his ear, “Kiss me, I need to feed on your essence. I won’t kill you, for now, but I need a boost. Is that okay?” I wouldn’t normally ask, but right now I am vulnerable around some very strong supes.
