Lion (Faeries of Oz) Read online

  Langwidere leaned forward. “And what would you get out of this?”

  “You, obviously.” When Langwidere opened her mouth, outrage written on her face, he held up a hand to stop her. “I want to be valued for my service. Use me, my lady. Make yourself a queen and me your knight.”

  The crackle of the fire was the only sound in the room. Lion knew this was a long shot. Langwidere’s loyalties were largely unknown, other than to herself. There was an equal chance she’d tell Oz of his betrayal as there was of her accepting his help. He was banking on her seeing the genius of his plan. Fail in appearance only and gain both a territory and a new head.

  With a sharp clap, Langwidere summoned a servant. A young female on all fours rolled into the room with wheels fused to her hands and feet. Her limbs were long and slender, her spine curved to accommodate her posture. A white ribbon, stained red with blood where it pierced her skin, sealed her mouth shut. How did she eat? Lion’s stomach twisted as the female’s pink irises focused on her master. She was no servant—she was a slave. And he’d just offered himself into Langwidere’s control.

  “Show Lion to a guest chamber. Make sure he feels at home until I decide what to do with him.”

  Lion tore his gaze away from the slave and gave Langwidere a playful smile. This would be a test of wills. He didn’t want power for himself—that was too much responsibility—he simply wanted to be close to power. To be needed and important now that he had the courage to become someone of note. He only hoped it would be worth it.

  Chapter Four

  Langwidere

  So Lion wanted to be her knight... This was making everything so much easier. It was as though all the heads were falling into place.

  Langwidere would not only have the West but the South as well. And one day, not soon, she planned to take Locasta’s territories, too. But for now, she would need to build little by little, and take it slowly.

  She gazed at the male before her, wondering if he could truly pass her test. Lion’s beauty could spin tales, but she’d also heard of his cowardice. Had he truly gained the courage that would be required?

  “I’m tired of wearing this,” Langwidere said in a bored tone. New day, new head. “Come, Lion. We must prove your worth.”

  He nodded, shifting his stance, his golden eyes seeming to dance beneath the light. “Of course we must.”

  Pivoting on her heels, Langwidere walked down the hallway, her ivory dress swishing against her legs. Lion followed behind her, too close, almost predatory. He was lucky he wasn’t female because his face was one of the most beautiful she’d ever seen. But there were plenty of other ways he’d be beneficial—instead of wearing him one way, she could wear him another. His skin pressed against hers.

  The rows of curio cabinets slipped into view, all the heads at the same angle and position. Their expressions were all the same, frozen, lifeless, until their flesh connected with Langwidere’s.

  Langwidere whirled to face Lion, pressing her hand to his cheek. “Choose one you like.” She was curious as to what his type was. Would he select one that had raven-colored hair like she originally used to have, or something the color of wheat? Perhaps one with a button nose or freckles? Did he prefer full or thin lips?

  She thought about her original head, the one she’d burned to ash once she’d collected her first prize to replace the old. The kill had come from a fae before the female was to be married, already dressed in a white gown. On Langwidere’s body, the head appeared much better—as did the white dress. After that, Langwidere no longer had to think about her disfigurements of her original face—the uneven eyes, the missing nose, the crooked mouth.

  He cocked his head and scanned the cabinets. “I like them all.”

  “If you could have only one for a night, whose lips would you want yours pressed against.” She tapped her fingers against her thigh, waiting for him to choose wrong.

  Lion sauntered around the room, his tail swinging back and forth. He looked at each face before lifting his index finger and pointing to the glass to his left. “That one.” It was a female with porcelain skin, ruby red lips, and thick black curls. Hair like she used to have. He’d made the right choice.

  “If you are to be my knight,” Langwidere said, inching toward the glass, “next time you answer me right away.”

  “I will.”

  “Zo!” Langwidere called as she opened the glass, then she turned to Lion’s confused face. “The Wheeler who was in here earlier. I took her and the others from the border near the Deadly Desert, and now they’re mine.”

  “Such extravagant … creatures.”

  Zo rolled to a stop, silent forever by the string in her mouth. The string was sewn in by Langwidere of course. But the Wheelers willingly volunteered.

  “Zo, can you bring Lion a white robe?”

  She nodded and pushed away on her oversized arms and legs.

  Lion arched a perfect blond brow. “A robe?”

  “You’ll see.” Langwidere opened the cabinet to her right and took off her head with a click. As she set it in its place, everything fell to darkness when her hands left the head. She felt her way back to the other open cabinet until her fingers brushed the thick curls.

  Her sight came back to her as she cradled the head and set it in its proper place atop her neck. She blinked and blinked again as she focused on Lion who watched her in what looked to be awe. “How do I look?”

  “Even more beautiful.” And that was the sort of honesty that she yearned for.

  The sound of Zo’s wheels echoed down the hallway, growing closer and closer. She came to a halt in front of Lion, the robe draped across her back. As soon as he plucked it up, the Wheeler zoomed right off.

  “Now”—Langwidere grinned—“I want you to get dressed … or undressed, then meet me in the back of my home.” Without another word, Langwidere turned on her heels and left the room. She wandered down the long winding hallway to the very back room where she’d left the door shut.

  She didn’t have to wait long before Lion sauntered down the hallway, as though there was something new in his step.

  “Ready?” Langwidere asked.

  “Yes.”

  With a smile, she opened the door and slipped inside. Emerald fire lit up the entirety of the room, making it appear as though flames were dancing atop the walls.

  A rustling came from the corner and Lion’s gaze moved in that direction, catching sight of what Langwidere wanted him to see.

  “What is this?” He continued to study the trembling female dressed in a thin white gown.

  “A female fae I took from the Emerald City.” Langwidere shrugged. “I saw her dancing and spinning, such lithe movements, such a unique face. Her freckles are like their own constellation. I need her. Or rather, I need her head.”

  “For your collection?” Lion nodded. “I understand.”

  Langwidere remembered how she’d first heard about Lion—it was because he’d helped the human girl—Dorothy—on a quest. That girl had been the one to defeat two powerful witches of Oz.

  “So you were friends with Dorothy, part of the party who defeated Reva?”

  “More like acquaintances. We helped each other get what we needed and then said goodbye. Nothing more.” He paused. “Besides, our world has gotten worse because of her.”

  “Perhaps if she ever returns, I shall wear her head.”

  “Perhaps. Dorothy did desert Oz, after all.”

  Langwidere would never do that. She would conquer and she would stay, for as long as her immortality allowed her to.

  “When was the last time you were with another, my courageous Lion?” She brought her hand to his cheek and stroked his flawless skin with her thumb.

  Straightening his spine, his eyes met hers and gleamed with pride. “Never.”

  Lion’s answer surprised and intrigued her. She felt pity for him, because he’d been so cowardly that he couldn’t even bring himself to lay with another. “Perhaps I’ll give you a reward if you finish this task.”

  His brows drew closer together as he studied her face. “What task?”

  “If you’re to be my knight, then you’re going to have to prove your loyalty.” Langwidere grabbed the sword from against the wall and pressed it into Lion’s strong hands, then turned him to face the fae. “Now, show me just how brave you are.”

  Chapter Five

  Lion

  Lion didn’t need to be told twice. He’d been waiting for a chance to prove himself since Oz gave him courage. Sword gripped tightly in hand, his lips curled in disgust, Lion approached the cowering female fae. Death was inevitable—she should accept it with dignity.

  “You’ll look better on her body,” he said with venom.

  Then he swung.

  The female’s scream was cut short as the blade passed cleanly through her neck. Hot blood splattered onto Lion’s chest. Red splashed across the corner of the room like a macabre painting, while the body slumped on the tiled floor.

  Langwidere stepped around him and knelt beside the blood-slicked head. “It’s a clean cut.” She lifted the head by the hair and studied the wide nose and strong jawline. “Perhaps there’s hope for you after all.”

  Lion’s chest swelled with pride. “I’m happy to be of service.”

  Langwidere smiled wickedly at him before setting the head into a waiting box with a wet thump. She took a moment to lovingly brush the hair off the dead fae’s forehead then settled the top over it. When she turned, flicking blood from her fingertips, a wild look flashed in her eyes.

  “Take off the robe,” she told Lion.

  He obeyed instantly and stood tall as she drank in his naked body from a few feet away. This time, he wouldn’t shy away from a good fuck. “Am I pleasing enough for you?” br />
  “Don’t be cocky,” she chided. Her gaze fell to his crotch at the last word.

  Lion grinned, smug. “And your gown, my queen?”

  “Not yet.” She spoke slowly as she sauntered up to him. “You have to earn the sight of my body.”

  Lion stared at Langwidere’s white dress as if he could see through it if he tried hard enough. His cock swelled as he caught the hint of her curves. His eyes traveled up to hers and held her lusty gaze, daring her to look lower with an arched brow.

  Langwidere moved closer until there was only an inch between their bodies. Her hand, still covered in blood, landed on his chest. She dragged it slowly over Lion’s firm muscles, exploring, and his tail twitched in anticipation. The lower her hand dipped, the more his body shook, but Langwidere was careful not to touch the one thing he now desperately needed her to.

  Perhaps she was waiting for him to make a move. To take charge and show her that he could be brave in more than one arena. He gripped her wrist as her hand slid up his side, then back down. Just as he was about to place her fingers on his hard cock, she snatched her wrist away and swatted the back of his hand.

  “Presumptuous, aren’t we?” She looked down for the first time then back up through her lashes. “Sit down.”

  Lion tilted his head, caught between amusement, confusion, and growing need, but he would play along. Give her what she wanted. Control. He would let her command him as any good knight would do.

  So he sat down on top of his discarded robe, legs stretched out before him, and propped himself up with his palms. He stared up at Langwidere, waiting, as his cock throbbed in anticipation.

  Langwidere moved slowly, purposely, showcasing her power without lifting a finger. Her hands gripped the front of her dress and gradually hitched the fabric up. Lion stared hungrily as, inch by agonizing inch, her smooth legs appeared, and he licked his lips.

  When Langwidere’s hem reached her knees, she stopped and stood over Lion’s legs. It felt like ages to Lion before she lowered herself. Longer still until she took his length inside her. His head fell back with a moan as she rode him without touching him anywhere else. Good fucking lord. Nothing had ever felt as good as this.

  Lion wanted to bury his hands in her hair, his tongue in her mouth, but somehow he knew she wouldn’t allow it. And he couldn’t risk her stopping. He needed this—needed her. His breath came faster and faster. His pulse thundered. His hips shifted up so she took him at a deeper angle.

  “Look at me,” Langwidere commanded.

  Lion obeyed. The way she stared at him made him groan again, his breath increasingly uneven. He wasn’t going to last much longer. His release was building, building, building, and he clenched his jaw to hold it back. A moment later Langwidere cried out, her movements slowing as she climaxed, and he let himself go, too.

  They both sat there, chests heaving, for a long minute. Then Langwidere stood, threw her skirts back down, and stalked back to the closed box. “I have to prepare my new head before it gets too old.”

  Lion glared at her in disbelief. “And me?”

  “What about you?” She lifted the box and cradled it in her arms. “You’ve served your purpose today.”

  “Does this mean—”

  “I’m still considering your offer,” she said.

  “But…”

  Langwidere stalked to the door and paused. “I’m pleased with you so far. Don’t ruin it.”

  Lion laughed quietly. She was going to agree—he could sense it—but she had to make a show of it. Had to be the one in charge. That was fine with him, as long as he was needed and important. With his plan, that wouldn’t be a problem. “Yes, my queen,” he replied.

  Chapter Six

  Langwidere

  Langwidere continued to teach Lion her lessons. Each day, she had him remove another’s head. It was more than usual, but he needed to learn the proper technique to make sure her new heads remained undamaged. She’d have him discard the old ones she didn’t feel the need to wear anymore—usually in the ocean or beneath the dirt. Then she’d reward him with another fuck.

  For someone new to the art of pleasure, he excelled at it, more than she’d expected. Before him, Oz had been an exceptional lover, but that was because the faerie fruit enhanced the urge for humans to obey her better, but not Lion. He didn’t need to be under influence, because she was naturally his drug, and he was a generous and obedient lover.

  Langwidere straightened her dress as her eyes roamed Lion’s glorious body drenched in sweat. This time she let him be behind her, plowing into her over and over until she couldn’t control herself from shouting his name.

  “Now, get dressed.” She ran the tip of her finger slowly from his clavicle bone to right under his belly button, his cock already hardening again. “We’ll be leaving after you and the others place everything into the carriage.” Leaning forward, she purred at his ear, “Be extra careful loading the new case. It’s large enough to hold a head with a crown.”

  Langwidere was tempted to take him for another round, or this time have his head between her legs again, but they could do that while traveling in the carriage. She had more important things to do right then.

  Lion pulled on his trousers and boots, leaving his shirt off as she liked. His golden eyes met hers and she touched the side of his cheek. “You’ve pleased me more than I could’ve wished for. Now, gather the trunks into the carriage. Then we’ll load the heads.” All the trunks were filled with her ivory dresses. Langwidere wouldn’t dare to leave them behind unless she grew tired of her need for them individually. Ivory brought out her complexion better than any other one, and the color represented perfection.

  As Lion obeyed and lifted the trunks near the front door, Langwidere wandered to her now-empty cabinets of heads. It was strange seeing them this way. They had never not had anything inside, except for when she’d first started.

  A squeak of wheels came barreling up behind her. Zo picked up her wheels, softly batting them at the floor, wanting to know if Langwidere needed her for anything. “You will gather the others and follow us to the new place. There, you will be first guard and in charge of the rest of the Wheelers. I’m going to put you and the others to good use.”

  Zo nodded, her nostrils flaring, eyes wide. She was silently thanking her. Zo and the others appreciated what Langwidere had done to them—they had to, or she would’ve thrown them all into the Deadly Desert, then watched them turn to sand.

  As Zo wheeled out of the room, Lion turned the corner and came to a halt in front of Langwidere, his muscular chest glistening under the light.

  Damn him, she couldn’t help herself. “Take it out.”

  In answer, he slid his cock from his pants, already hard. His golden eyes appeared thrilled by what was to come next.

  “Pump it for me,” she demanded.

  “As you wish.” He obeyed thoroughly, stroking slowly at first.

  “Now”—she stepped closer—“have you told me all your secrets?”

  “Every last one.”

  “Since Oz only wanted me as a tool, is there anything about that bastard you’re leaving out?” Did Oz truly believe that he could pick someone to use her? Langwidere was the master at control, and he just so happened to pick someone who would fit perfectly with her. Oz was nothing but a halfwit.

  Lion’s hand increased its pace as he remained watching her. “Before I left, there was a map.”

  “What kind of map?” What was the imbecile planning now? He was fine with giving up his hold on the Emerald City for some reason. And perhaps this map had to do with it.

  “I don’t know,” he groaned. “It was a drawing of the Land of Oz, all the deserts surrounding it, and the outer layers of Oz. But there were several strange markings on the outer layers, and the territory of Ev was circled in red.”

  Langwidere tapped at her chin and noticed there was crimson staining her gown from the head she’d collected earlier. “That old dolt is up to something.”

  “I’ll kill him for you,” Lion gasped.

  “Perhaps one day.” She watched Lion’s hand move faster. “Now stop.”