Page 62 of Semper

The cool night air hit me, but it didn’t do much to temper the fire that still burned in my veins. I already wanted more, the desire throbbing through me like a dangerous pulse. It was wrong, twisted, and yet it consumed me entirely. I turned to face him, needing to see him, to feel him again, but before I could even speak, he grabbed my face, his fingers digging into my skin with a possessive strength. His lips crashed against mine, his tongue plunging deep into my mouth. The world around us—the screams, the flames, the music—remained as nothingness.

I could feel how much he wanted me, how much he needed me, and the force of it left me helpless beneath his control. He pulled away slowly, breaking the kiss but keeping his gaze locked on mine, his eyes dark and full of hunger. My breath was ragged, my heart pounding, as I stared up at him, my mind caught in the haze of lust and confusion.

Without a word, his hand slid down my cheek, then to my throat, his grip firm but not painful as he guided me downward, lowering me to my knees before him. I felt myself sinking further into this twisted bond we had formed. I knelt there, looking up at him, the firelight casting shadows over both of us. The nightwas a long way from over, but whatever came next, I knew I had crossed another line there was no coming back from.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I watched her sleep, the slow rise and fall of her chest mesmerizing. Lolita lay beneath the sheets, her body curled slightly, as if seeking comfort in the stillness of the night. Her skin was soft and clean now, the paint and grime from the ritual scrubbed away under my careful hands. I had washed her long hair myself, running my fingers through it, working out the knots, washing away the surface level evidence the Isle’s darkness. It had been almost ritualistic in itself—the way I’d cared for her, controlling even that small, intimate moment.

I was unashamed of what I felt for her, of the obsession that had taken root inside me and continued to spread by the day.

It wasn’t just desire; it was something far more twisted, far more consuming. Even when we were apart, I couldn’t let her out of my sight. The cameras around the estate ensured that I never lost track of her. Whether she was in the gardens, in her room, or wandering the halls, I watched. Ambrose and Verity reported back to me on her every move. The veiled servitor had grown close to my Lolita, a comforting figure in her new life, andI used that to my advantage. Every word, every interaction she had was fed back to me.

It wasn’t enough.

It was never fucking enough.

I didn’t know how I could be any further inside her, how I could claim more of her than I already had. I was breeding her every chance I got, pushing her body to its limits, exhausting even myself in the process. Yet I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t. It was madness. Beautiful, consuming madness.

When we returned from the ceremony, she had been silent, her eyes distant, the events of the night clearly haunting her. I’d helped her scrub the paint from her skin, my hands moving over her body in careful, possessive strokes. In the shower, the heat of the water had been nothing compared to the heat coursing through me as I feasted on her pussy and then cleaned her. I had dried her off, tucked her into bed, and stayed with her until sleep claimed her, watching as the tension melted from her, as if I could control even the way she dreamed.

Now, as she lay sleeping, I felt the same gnawing hunger, the same insatiable need that had plagued me since the first time I laid eyes on her in that resort suite. No matter how much I took, no matter how often I took what I needed, it wasn’t enough.

I stood slowly, careful not to disturb her, and left the room, pulling the door closed behind me.

The house was quiet, save for the faint sound of wind rustling outside. Shadows lingered at the edges of the hallway, but they didn’t bother me. They belonged to me, just as everything in this place did. I made my way to my office, my mind already working through the things that still needed my attention. The ceremony had been successful, but there were always details to finalize. Lolita’s initiation had only just begun, and there were many more steps to ensure she was fully bound to the Isle—and to me.

The women in my family were well into planning ourConnubialis Aeternum.Lolita would be joining in on that soon. I sat behind my desk and opened the ledger detailing the night’s events. Even now, my mind lingered on her. There were cameras in her room, just as there were in every part of the estate. I could watch her sleep if I wanted to and could monitor her every breath. And I did. Often.

I didn’t need to be near her to know where she was, or what she was doing. Ambrose or Verity would tell me if something required my personal attention, but for now, I was content to observe from a distance. My obsession was unrelenting, and I had no desire to temper it. Why would I? She was mine to consume, mine to shape, and I relished every moment of it. I leaned back in my chair, my eyes scanning the ledger. Everything was in place.

I settled back in my chair, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Lolita, the ritual, and everything that was to come.

Just as I was about to lean into the silence and let myself enjoy the weight of the night; my phone buzzed on the desk. Glancing at the screen, I saw my brother's name. With a smirk, I answered. “Emilio.”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d be done yet,” came his voice, low and relaxed.

I chuckled softly, my gaze flicking to the security feed showing Lolita still asleep, her body curled beneath the sheets, peaceful, for now. “She’s sleeping.”

“I don’t blame her,” he mused.

“And Esther?” I asked, leaning forward, genuinely curious about his response.

There was a brief pause before he sighed, “She’s fine. Giving me the silent treatment.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. My brother and our sister had been dancing around the inevitable for some time now. Itwas a slow game, but one both my father and I had chosen to let progress naturally.

The outcome was clear—Esther and Emilio were meant to end up together. That was why neither of them had been paired with anyone else. The arrangement was always there, waiting in the background, though neither had formally acknowledged it yet.

“You two will sort it out eventually,” I said, my amusement evident.

Emilio grunted in response but didn’t push the topic further.

Instead, he dropped the real reason for his call. “Dad says tomorrow is the night.”

I paused, processing his words, and for a brief moment, felt a wave of excitement and relief wash over me. Finally. Tomorrow, Lolita would meet the rest of the family. I’d been preparing her, grooming her for this moment for weeks. She was ready—or as ready as she could be.

“Same time as usual for dinner?” I asked my tone calm, though, beneath it, anticipation was stirring.