Thank you everyone for reading! Now that this part of the story is over, we're gonna be seeing some real twists and turns with these star-crossed lovers!
Chapter 10: Giving In
Yoko stepped out of the steaming shower, his eyes fixed on the creamy tile floor. He should have known she hadn't truly accepted him. She'd been drunk
But surely it meant something. Yes she'd been drunk, but even then, why would she have teased him like that if she didn't feel something for him? There must be something there, even if she says otherwise.
Yoko sighed and dried with a white towel, then dressed in the nightclothes he'd bought today. He walked slowly, his mind in turmoil. He stopped at the door to his room and glanced longingly at Liora's door. He sighed again and forced himself to enter his own room.
The neatly made bed had been untouched for at least four days. Everything as still neat and tidy as the day he first arrived. The only times he really came into this room was when he needed to change clothes. It was almost depressing to sleep in it now.
He walked to the bed and pulled the sheets down before plopping down. He was accustomed to being cold and alone, but this time, it seeped down into his soul and clung to it like a perpetual winter's chill.
And she was the spring; beautiful, warm, blooming with life, and out of his reach.
His eyes drifted closed slowly and he fell into a restless sleep. Images of her toyed with his mind, tearing at his heart.
He could see her in the flower field where he had been raised all those years ago. In his dream, she was a fox demon too, and nothing kept them apart. He watched her as she walked, her hands brushing over the tall flowers and grass of demon world. Suddenly, though, she stopped and turned to look at him. She smiled widely and held out a hand for him.
Yoko smiled and started to walk towards her, wanting desperately to hold her. But with every step he took, she stepped back twice. He tried to speak, to ask her to stop moving away, but he choked on his words. Then, his feet felt like lead. He couldn't move, but she still stepped away from him.
She frowned and let her hand fall. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks, and each tear that dropped to the ground made a spark. He tried to tell her not to cry anymore. If a fire started, she would be hurt, but again, all that came out was a strangled cry. And she continued to cry, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
There was a noise from somewhere that he couldn't see. Dark figures in black cloaks walked out of the forest around the field and Liora fell to her knees crying harder. Two of the mysterious figures lifted her from the ground and she screamed. One came to stand in front of him, a gnarled hand outstretched. She spoke in a strange tongue that he'd never heard. Her lips moved as if speaking different words than the sounds that were passing through them.
Liora screamed again and the shrouded woman turned to look at her. Liora broke free and ran towards them. The woman turned to Yoko quickly with a wicked dagger. He closed his eyes tightly, anticipating the pain, but when his eyes opened, Liora was on the ground. He was crouched over her, his hand on the handle of the dagger that was plunged into her chest. She stared up at him with loving eyes. There was not hate, not anger, no remorse.
Yoko screamed out in agony as her eyes closed. He'd killed her, his only love. A tear fell from his eye and it sparked, just as hers had, but this time, it caught fire. Yoko tried to put it out, but his efforts only spread it. He knew it would only spread farther, so he stood back and watched her beautiful body burn.
Then everything went black. He was the only thing in this dark, empty world. He twisted and turned in a panic. He didn't want to be alone. He didn't want to be without her.
He heard light footsteps and watched a man form from mist. The man looked so much like his Liora, but taller with silver hair and golden flecks in his deep blue eyes.
"The damage has already been done," a deep voice spoke slowly. "Now that she is yours, you must protect her. Don't let them hurt her, Yoko."
Then, he woke up, panting and in a cold sweat. He sat up quickly and threw off the covers. He needed to make sure she was ok.
He left his room and stood in front of her door, his hand on the knob. He was just going to check on her, then he would go back into his room. That was all.
He took a deep breath and opened the door slowly. Liora looked up at him, her startled face stained with tears and her body shook slightly.
Before he knew what he was doing, he was at her side, holding her. "Please don't cry, Liora."
She sobbed again and leaned against his chest. "I'm sorry, Yoko. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you, but I have to. I –" she cried harder and Yoko lifted her face to meet his eyes.
"I don't understand, cosset, and I don't care. I've already had you once, so why does it matter if I take you again? Will it make any difference in my punishment? Even if it does, I don't care. I want you, Liora, and I'll keep you safe."
Liora looked deeply into his golden eyes and leaned up to kiss his lips. Yoko moved one hand up to the back of her head to hold her closer as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues danced and Liora tightened her hands on the back of Yoko's shirt.
Yoko moved both hands down to her blouse. He pulled away for only a second to pull it up over her head, then kissed her passionately again, their bodies pressed close together.
He pushed her down onto the bed and massaged her full breast, her hard nipple teasing his palm. Liora moaned and tugged on his shirt, needing more.
Yoko panted slightly against her mouth as his hands roamed her body. He slipped one under her pants and pressed her clit lightly. She gasped and moaned, lifting her hips into the caress. He pushed her pants down her slim legs and stood to pull them off.
He stared down at her and his groin hardened painfully. Her face was flushed and her lips were kiss-reddened. The small blonde hairs between her parted legs were already wet. She looked up at him desperately, her blood shot eyes begging for him.
He pulled one knee up onto the bed and sat beside her, his breath shaking slightly. Liora whimpered as she watched him.
"Please, Yoko, I need you."
Yoko closed his eyes and savored those words. He ran his hand slowly over her inner thigh, then traced her entrance lightly. She moaned and arched her back, needing more. He pressed his middle finger inside, electing another moan. Her body was soft and hot.
He swirled his finger inside her, making her arch again. He pressed in another finger and she clung to the sheets.
"You're torturing me," she moaned.
Yoko smiled and pulled back to strip off his shirt and pants, then he laid between her legs. Liora wrapped her arms around his chest and rained kisses over his collarbone. Yoko pressed his tip to her core and thrust into her body.
Liora gasped and raised her hips to meet his thrusts. She ran her nails down his shoulders roughly and panted, begging for more.
Yoko pulled out of her and pushed out of her arms. She whimpered and he grinned down at her. He flipped her over, slammed into her tight body again, thrust even faster. She gasped and pressed back against, him moaning loudly.
Yoko held her hip tightly and reached around the other to massage her clit. When he felt her body start to spasm with the beginnings of an orgasm, he stopped and pulled out. She whimpered softly and tried to press back against him, but he held her hips still.
"Please don't stop, Yoko, I'm so close."
He licked up her spine slowly, stopping to nip and kiss her skin. "I know."
"Then please keep going. I need it so badly," she rasped out.
"Say you're mine, Liora," he whispered into her ear. He reached down and stroked himself, letting her feel it.
Liora groaned. Her body was on fire and the feeling of him touching himself like this was driving her wild. "I am, Yoko. Please, I need you."
He growled in her ear. He was close to coming for her, but he needed to hear it first. He wanted her to say it. He began moving his finger over her clit again and stroked himself harder. "Say it."
Liora moaned loudly. "I'm yours, Yoko, yours only!"
Yoko slammed into her body, taking pleasure from her bliss-filled cries. Her body tightened around his shaft, which jerked inside of her.
As they came together, Yoko bit into Liora's shoulder, sending a wave of his demon energy into the mark.
Slowly, their bodies were satisfied and every clenched muscle released. They fell to the bed, panting. Yoko released her shoulder and smiled at the mark of a gold rose with a silver stem. He'd marked his mate, and now no one would dare touch her. If they did, they would pay.