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?”
“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.