Juices dripped down the corner of her mouth, tempting him. Threading his fingers into her hair and tipping her head slightly, he licked the sweetness off Nyra’s face. Groaning as the fresh scent of her arousal reached him, his dick swelling in his pants against her thigh.
Fuck. This is torture. Just get on with it already, before the Sun comes up and she loses her shit.
He palmed his face, debating on how to broach the entire subject of fated mates and the curse of the Raijin. Where to begin so that she doesn’t think him crazy, or worse, scare her away.
“Nyra,” he said, drawing lazy circles on her arm, “I need to tell you something.”
Her gaze narrowed, slowly chewing on the piece fruit as she started to move away, Raiden’s heavy suspicions of Nyra being hurt too many times for her to be able to trust anyone being confirmed by that singular action.
He grabbed her, pressing her close. “No running, I thought I already told you that your place is by my side. Now, I wish to tell you a story. Be a good girl and keep an open mind. You can ask me anything, but only once you’ve had your fill.”
Mouth full of food, she protested, “This is too much. There’s enough to feed three people–”
He shoved another slice of mango into her mouth, silencing her protests. “Seems like you’ve got room for some more in there.”
If looks could kill, Raiden would be a dead male already. But he didn’t really have a choice, he was running out of time. She had to know who and what he was, and what she meant to him. But first–
“How did you become a dragon slayer?”
Bits of mango flew out of Nyra’s mouth, coughing and spluttering as she tried to catch her breath.
“What–” she cleared her throat, “What makes you think I’m a dragon slayer?”
He searched her face, gaze bouncing between her big eyes.This is it. No turning back now.“I was there that day,” he said, “when you shot down the silver dragon. I saw you.”
Mouth hanging wide open, she didn’t reply. Her face pale, as if all the life had been drained from it.
He cocked his head. “Is everything alright?”
“I–” she tried to move again, but Raiden’s hand held her firmly in place. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not a part of my life that I wish to remember.”
Interesting.“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re hiding something. What is it, wildling?”
Lowering her head, her voice was almost a whisper as she admitted, “I was a different person back then. I did things that I’m not proud of. Things that haunt me to this day.”
If only she would open her mind and let him in.But it was bolted shut, as if tower-high walls had been erected inside of it.
“Tell me.”
Shaking her head, Nyra turned away from Raiden. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him once more, frustration and anger bubbling up inside of him. Frustration with himself for the poor job that he had done in gaining her trust, and anger with the pieces of shit that had made her feel so dejected and worthless.
“Don’t you dare hide from me, Nyra. I’m not like those pathetic little humans that you’ve had the displeasure of knowing your entire life. I will never judge you. Whatever it is that you keep locked away in your heart, you can trust me to keep it safe.” He leaned in, kissing her softly, stroking her hair as tears welled up in her eyes. “I will never hurt you.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she whispered, gazing at him. A single tear made its way down hercheek, Raiden’s thumb capturing it. “I never cry. But when I’m with you...” she trailed off, eyes wide. “I feel like you understand me. I find myself wanting to tell you my secrets, as if deep down, I know that you won’t abuse them. And even though we’ve only met last night, I feel as if I’ve known you my entire life.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s because your soul recognizes me, little prey.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me first what it is that haunts you.”
Silence stretched between them before Nyra finally opened her mouth. “I’m ashamed,” she admitted, voice breaking, “Of myself. Of the lives I’ve taken as a dragon slayer. Some might say that I was doing the kingdom a service, that I was tolling out justice against the ruthless creatures terrorizing the land. That it was required when so many innocent people couldn’t defend themselves.”
“But you don’t feel this way?”
