Crazy Seduction(erotica)

“Agreed,” Henry said with an emphatic nod. He began taking ingredients out of the fridge and cabinets.

Marisa looked at him curiously. “What are you up to?”

“I’m going to bake some cookies.”

Marisa grinned and clapped her hands in delight. She sat at the counter and watched Henry puttering around, making precise measurements of the ingredients, following the recipe to the letter. Once the trays went into the oven and he set the timer, Henry cleaned the mess he’d made.

“Is there a way to do this that avoids this?” he asked with a frown gesturing to the untidy counters.

Marisa grinned at him. “Practice.”

He smiled and nodded as he washed and dried the bowls.

Once the kitchen was tidy once more, they moved to the living room and sat together on the couch. Henry’s cell rang, and he saw it was Sandy.

“Hi, Sandy!”

“Oh good! You’re awake! How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I feel good!” he said, smiling at Marisa.

“Are you up for a visit? Tish and Dayshia will be here a little after noon, and they’re bringing an assortment of wraps and salads for lunch.”

“That sounds lovely!” he said and looked to Marisa. “Marisa is here too. Will there be enough food?”

“Of course!” Sandy gushed, thrilled to hear the blonde was still there.

Henry grinned hearing Sandy’s excitement and nodded to Marisa. “So, we’ll see you then?”

“Yes! See you then!” Sandy said happily and hung up.

Henry smiled at Marisa. “We have lunch plans.”

**************

Ikehorn dozed lightly in the anteroom of the Queen’s chambers. When he’d arrived the night before, eager to make his report, he’d waited as the Queen was indisposed.

He was aware that the final preparations of her most powerful and secretive spell to date was taking a severe toll on the monarch. While she hid it well, Ikehorn had served her for centuries and knew her tells.

Plus she was burning through her personal staff like tissues. Mistakes earned harsh punishments, though none of the women had been killed… yet.

He heard a soft clearing of a throat and opened his eyes. It was a young female Fae with pale white skin, raven hair, and a slim, petite body. She was a true beauty, but she stood in profile with eyes downcast.

“The Queen will see you now,” she said quietly.

Ikehorn heard the edge of pain in her voice and noticed she was keeping the left side of her face turned from him. He stood and approached her. She froze, and a lovely blue eye darted to him nervously.

“Look at me,” he said firmly.

Trembling, she turned her face slowly towards him, and he saw the damage. Three deep and raw scratches crossed her cheek, from her ear to just above her red lips. The wounds already showed signs of decay which hinted at the curse Mab had embedded in her flesh. The scarring would be permanent and would undoubtedly spread. It pained him to see how it already horribly marred the symmetry of her beautiful features.

Impulsively, he reached a hand to hover over her injury. The girl sucked in a frightened gasp as she thought he might punish her too. The Queen’s man wasn’t known for his patience and sympathy. She swayed slightly, dizzy from the pain, and touched his hand to her cheek.

The green flash surprised them both, and the girl swooned. He caught her before her legs gave out and gently sat her on a nearby couch. His eyes locked onto her face and she saw his shocked expression. Frightened, she lifted a hand to touch the ripped flesh only to encounter smooth skin. Fingertips shook as she traced the path where seconds before had only been ruin. She couldn’t take her eyes from the man who’d healed her and saw a dawning awareness appearing in his eyes.

Ikehorn seized the girl’s shoulders in a painfully tight grip as his eyes held hers. “You will speak to no one about what just happened. You will leave now. You will return to Ireland and go to my estate. Is this understood?”

“But the Queen-”

“I will explain your absence. Go now!” he growled and released her.

She caught his hand and held it against her healed cheek as her grateful eyes looked up at him.

His heart moved in his chest in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable way as he gently tugged his hand free and stood back. “Quickly now,” he mumbled, looking away.

He heard her stand and rush to the door. He couldn’t stop himself from glancing in her direction and caught her looking back at him from the doorway with the slightest of smiles on her perfect lips and a gleam in her eyes. Then she was gone.

Ikehorn scowled as he struggled to get his treacherous thoughts under control. He took slow, deep breaths and straightened his jacket.

So the Satyr had left him with another gift. His aptitude with magic had been rudimentary compared to the others, and he’d never had enough skill to heal with it. Closing his eyes, he looked deeply into his core but couldn’t detect the source of his link to the healing magic. He felt no different, aside from his renewed vigor and youth of course, and the complete absence of the disease. He still hated the Satyr for his refusal to serve their rightful Queen, but his ire was becoming strained by these alterations.

Giving himself a shake, he stepped into the main room and saw Mab sitting by the window gazing out over the city.

The building they were in was unique in that it was two separate buildings in one. The initial twenty stories was a classic iron-framed structure found throughout New York City. The five-story structure built atop that contained no cold iron in its construction. The elevator that serviced the top five stories skipped the floors of the mundane building entirely, jumping from the extra basement level to the first story of the crowning building.

A misdirection spell drew attention away from Mab’s home away from home, and only an array of sixty-foot rooftop antennae appeared in photos. The roof of the twenty story tower was lush with greenery surrounding the small castle sitting atop it. The landscaping, too, was only visible when standing on the roof’s surface.

Mab’s chambers were on the top floor with a stunning view. A view she was currently appreciating.

She turned her head slightly at his approach. “Ah, Ikehorn. I understand you’ve brought me news?” She looked beyond him, and her expression darkened. “Where is that foolish girl Lilliette?”

Ikehorn gave her a crisp bow he knew the Queen preferred. “My Queen, I’ve sent her away.”

“What?!?” Enraged eyes locked on him and a tremor ran down his spine. Her control was not as strong as it once was.

He bowed again. “Apologies, but I could see the girl was becoming a distraction from your work. We all serve you, but only the best must surround you now, to ensure your focus is not- burdened by these trivialities.”

He held still and prepared himself for death. When it didn’t come, he allowed himself a slow exhale as the Queen slowly nodded.

“Yes, of course. You are quite correct. I should have a wiser and more skilled maid. Your house manager, Bronagh, is most precise and correct in her duties and would be perfect for this role.”

Ikehorn froze as the woman in question was the most senior and trusted member of his staff. The strict old woman practically raised him. She had value in his life. He might be condemning her to death, but he could not refuse his Queen.

He wasn’t blind to the fact that this was also a lesson for him about overstepping his bounds. His moment of sentiment had a terrible cost.

“Of course, my Queen. I will call for her immediately. She will feel most honored for this opportunity to serve you directly.”

Mab nodded, pleased once more. “Speak to me of what led you to my chamber so early in the morning?”

So the Queen had been aware of his waiting. Fine. “As you directed, I followed the Satyr who went out for an evening of entertainment with his Human companions, the same ones who have been under observation for their behavior patterns. What I witnessed confirms your suspicions. He is deeply and emotionally attached to the creatures.”

Mab smiled, but it brought her face no warmth. “Tell me of them.”

Ikehorn nodded. “There are three females. All young, though perhaps a little older than the Satyr. There’s a fair skinned blond female who lives in the building. Her name is Sandy.” He thought there might be something off about this one, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“The second, an ebony-skinned female named Dayshia who has a more generous figure. Perhaps almost exaggeratedly so.” He glanced at the Queen in embarrassment.

“The third one is fair skinned, tall and slim with long ebony hair. Tiss? Tess? I couldn’t quite make out her name. During their dining period, I witnessed the Satyr’s… I’d almost want to call it love, if that term wasn’t offensive when linked to Humans.”

He caught Mab smiling at him and looked at her curiously. “What? Did I miss something?”Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

“You’ve never had a pet, have you,” Mab remarked, watching his face.

He shifted uncomfortably. “I had a spider once.”

She tilted her head in interest. “Really? How did you feel about your spider?”

He blinked at the question. “I- didn’t feel anything about it. It was a spider.”