"I'm yours," she gasped, her breath hitching at the raw hunger in his eyes. “I’m yours!”
Jaxon hummed in satisfaction, pressing a kiss to her jaw. “Good girl,” he said, his voice all silk and steel as his lips trailed fire across her skin.
He took his time, relearning every way she unraveled beneath him. Araya clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as tension coiled inside her, growing into a wildfire that threatened to consume her entirely.
“You’re safe with me, Starling,” he whispered, his lips trailing like fire over her skin. “I’ll protect you, I promise. Now let go for me.”
Her body obeyed before her mind could catch up. The tension inside her snapped, release flooding her in waves of heat and pleasure. He swallowed her cry with another brutal kiss, a guttural groan escaping him as he found his own release.
Sunlight filteredthrough the heavy curtains, casting long, golden streaks across the room. Araya stared at them absently as her fingers drifted over the hard planes of Jaxon’s chest, mapping the new scars he carried now.
Jagged slashes marred his skin, some thin and faded, others deep and brutal. A burn stretched across his ribs, paler than the rest, like a brand long since cooled. But it was the smallest one that held her gaze—a silvery line just above his ribs, barely the width of a knife’s edge.
Jaxon caught her wrist before she could ask, pressing a kiss to her palm. “It’s in the past, Starling.”
He couldn’t seem to stop touching her either. His fingers combed through her hair, the gentle scrape of his nails against her scalp sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.
“So what happens now?” she asked. “Is that really all there is to bonding?”
Jaxon shifted, amusement glinting in his dark eyes as he glanced down at her. “You wanted something more?”
“No…but your father just—” She propped herself up on one elbow, mimicking a flourish with her hand. “And it’s done? Is that how it works for everyone, or is it just because you’re the High Magister’s son?”
“It does have its perks.” He laughed, giving her a wicked smile. “You know, he’ll probably ask you to call him Garrick?—”
“Gods.” Araya buried her face in Jaxon’s chest. “You’re not serious.”
“He’s not as terrifying as he looks,” Jaxon said. He ran his hand down her back, his fingers brushing over each bump of her spine. “He’ll be here later—Kai will come by too, to adjust your runes. Your papers need updating, your privileges have to be upgraded...”
He tilted her chin up, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “All good things, Araya. Things you deserve.”
She stared at him, the weight of his words settling heavily in her chest. “And that’s it?” she asked softly.
“That’s it.” Jaxon pulled her back down into his arms. “No more Arcanum oversight, no more waiting or worrying—just the two of us.”
“It doesn’t feel real,” Araya murmured, letting her head drop back to his chest. “Like I skipped the part where I actually earned it.”
Jaxon chuckled. “You’ve earned this a hundred times over,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “This is just the official part.”
Araya closed her eyes, letting his warmth surround her. “If you say so.”
Jaxon’s fingers drifted across her back in lazy circles. “Trust me, Starling,” he murmured, breath warm against her ear. “This is only the beginning. The Arcanum wants me to lead a new project—something I think you’ll find interesting.”
Araya lifted her head, her interest piqued. “What kind of project?”
“The fun kind,” he said, flashing her a mischievous grin. “But I have to step out for a bit to get things set up for it. Will you be alright here by yourself?”
The question brought her up short. This was going to be her home—or maybe it was already. But the thought of being here by herself, in a neighborhood where she couldn’t even walk freely, made her stomach twist.
“Will you be gone long?”
“Not too long,” Jaxon assured her, his dark eyes studying her carefully. “You should get some more rest.” He pressed a tender kiss to her temple before sliding out of bed and reaching for his clothes.
“I need to return Serafina’s dress,” Araya said.
“I’ll have the courier handle it,” Jaxon replied, lacing up his breeches. “They’re already going there for your things today.”
Of course, he’d already thought of everything. That was Jaxon—always ten steps ahead. But instead of feeling cared for, something about it sat uneasily in her chest, leaving her feeling…boxed in.
