Note: Unedited version on AO3 under same pen name and story title. Again, this is heavily edited to keep the T rating, as I know some people prefer nothing to graphic, and want the story to stay accessible to everyone, as there are barely any Will/Phobos stories out there (and I apparently want to single-handedly supply the bulk of the content lol)
Chapter Sixteen
Fly into the Serpent's Maw
Will woke up, head foggy, Phobos' worried face hovering over her, hand rubbing her cheek. It seemed like it could have been a dream, as his hair was long again, spilling around his shoulders, blue eyes warmer than she had ever seen.
Her name on his lips, the sound so sweet.
Phobos was touching her, something she had craved for so long. It was so gentle, nothing like his touches under the water, urgent and needy. And she knew it was worth the wait, as this made her heart swell.
She wanted to question what happened, how they were back in the castle, but as he leaned towards her, tender gaze lingering on her parted lips, she didn't want to break the moment. Strong hands held her to him, firm lips pressing to hers.
It was so gentle and kind she swore her heart would burst any second.
Will reached for him, hand touching his shoulders, losing her balance and pulling him down over her. Her wings quivered as he let her pull him down, red silk sheets bunching under them. Summer heat becoming a chill compared to the fire stirring in her.
Was this okay? He was bound by magic, chained, unable to even properly talk.
Right.
So was this him? Hidden under layers of his magic prison, he wanted this too? Was this okay? As long as he leads? Whatever he could give, she would accept. Even if it was just a kiss.
She fell back against the soft pillows, hands by her head, legs bent to the side, letting him go before she started craving more. The prince steadied himself on his hands by her head, staring down at her form, making her heart race as she noticed a flush to his face.
Slowly, he leaned down more, placing his full weight on his left arm and freeing his right. He touched her face again, brushing her hair back, sliding down her cheek, across her lips, down to her neck as she swallowed.
Sliding on the bed next to her, he traced her collarbone through her skin tight bodysuit. Running his hand down the valley of her breast, down to her tone stomach, and stopping at the clench of her thighs.
His hair was a curtain around her, making him the only thing she could see. So she watched every expression that flickered across his face. The look of surprise as his hand trailed lower and lower, and she knew something had changed, as he didn't expect this freedom, but still stopped, face frustrated.
"This whole time," she started, him looking at her. "I thought maybe I was too pushy. That you didn't want… that you didn't feel… but you do, don't you?"
He looked at her, eyes heavy, and nodded. She fought the tears behind her eyes.
"But you can't?"
He looked away, body stiff.
"You can't answer?"
He looked at her, eyes holding hers.
"I think I get it now," she choked out, tears falling. "I'm sorry. It took me so long to see," she said with a forced smile. "I must have really frustrated you, huh?"
He didn't return her humor, instead he just watched her, waiting.
"I can ask Elyon to remove them… but after that fight, I don't think we are on the best terms. And if I remove them… that's basically starting a war with her." She blinked the hot tears from her eyes. "I don't know. I really don't. I'm sorry."
He didn't deserve his freedom, not yet. But this level of bondage was… wrong.
He finally spoke, voice soft. "Do not concern yourself with these matters. This is not your cross the bare. You are here to enjoy yourself, no? To forget the hardships placed on you, the hide from the ones that don't understand what it means to lead."
His hand was trailing down her body again, he was at her closed legs, heavy hand flat on her lower belly, making her breathing increase. His brow drew together as he looked more focused than normally necessary.
"That is why you seek me. I understand that burden. I do not judge you for your choices made in battle, even when those choices led to my defeat."
He looked at her, expression growing soft.
"I will give you what you seek. A touch more meaningful than just fleeting passion. Something that will burrow under your skin and linger, a memory to cling to in the stillness of night."
His hand pushed between her thighs, and she gasped, gripping his shoulders.
"Let me worship you, like no other. Show you an embrace beyond just carnal lust."
Will was breathing harder, wanting to take charge, but knowing he needed to set the pace.
How? They had shackled him from touching her for so long. What changed?
Magic was fickle. And he was a powerful mage. He had to be fighting his bonds every day, looking for weaknesses. Looking for freedom. Only now he found the freedom to touch her, freedom to kiss her.
What did he do?
Shouldn't she be worried?
Also, wasn't there several pressing problems she needed to deal with?
"Phobos," she gasped. Will clutched at his chest, panting, eyes clenched. She wiggled against him but he held her still.
"This is for you," he said, mouth on her hair.
It was such a simple act. She has had this done to her before.
Yet, she was still losing her mind with Phobos, his chest pressed against hers, mouth at her temple.
"Will."
Her name on his lips again.
Then he stopped.
More.
She wanted more.
The prince slid closer, bending her knees up as he settled between them, only to freeze, expression now pained with frustration. Will, now more alert, sat up and kissed him, wrapping her wings around, and flipped him over.
"I get it," she whispered, pushing him back into the spot she just occupied. "Can't be selfish? Nothing for your own pleasure?"
He said this was for her, right?
She extended her wings behind her and kissed her way down his chest, finding his hard nipple and taking it between her teeth. He gasped, gripping the sheets, unable to touch her, as he was craving his own release.
She would give him that.
She wanted all of him.
"Ah, how many times have I made you this like this and you couldn't do anything? Let me make it up to you," she teased.
He was breathing hard, eyes crazed, and she cursed his bonds.
She wanted to experience all of him.
There was a glow, a hum of magic. As her focus was on the task before her, she missed where it was from.
She squeaked in shock, her back on the bed, wings spread wide, Phobos between her legs.
Confused, she opened her mouth to question him, only he claimed her mouth in a scorching kiss. He pulled away, roughly grabbing her short hair, and lowered his lips to her ear.
"You will service me another time," he said with certainty that made her blush deeper. "But now, I will do as I please. I will make you beg." He kissed down her jaw. "I will make you scream." He bit down hard at the junction of her neck. "I will claim you as mine."
A hand went to her wings and stroked the thin connection that joined it to her body, flaring more impossible heat and electricity at the touch.
"You are the most powerful being that exists right now," he cooed, excited. "This form strikes terror in the hearts of so many, has toppled empires. Now it will quake in pleasure from me," he finished.
Will knew this was different from how they started. He was moving different, unrestrained, taking more than giving. She should be worried about the magic she felt, about the change in his behavior, but her damn brain could only think about the man above her, giving her what she had been yearning for.
Will understood in her magic form, she had more stamina and endurance. So, her willingly moving for another round didn't surprise her. She didn't question his stamina, as her betraying mind just didn't care.
All that mattered was he wanted this just as much as her.
Electricity sparked from her and she felt his magic, that should be locked away, respond, raking across her abused skin, digging deep into her flesh, igniting and burning every nerve in her body.
"Ah!" she cried, loud and unable to care who heard.
She gripped his hand, hard, her other hand shooting out and grabbing the covers, pulling the top and bottom layers with a sharp yank, ripping it apart.
"Come for me, Will," he affectionately encouraged, nuzzling his face to her hair.
She could not fight the sob that ripped through her, eyes watering, as she came for the last time of their encounter, his voice in her ear as he whispered her name.
He came soon after, softly kissing her neck.
"My Keeper."
