She felt him everywhere.
Inside her.
Around her.
Part of her.
His dragon magic surged between them, molten tendrils of power twisting through their bodies, binding them together. His control broke, his movements desperate, hungry, as he buried himself in her over and over, chasing something primal, something that only she could give him.
And when the final moment came—when he groaned her name in a rough, broken growl and let go—his magic exploded, sinking deep into her skin, branding her with his power, his essence, his claim. His dragon’s claim.
She gasped, her entire body arching, her vision blurring as pleasure and magic twisted through her like a wildfire.
And then—silence.
Heavy, intoxicating, final.
The air was thick, crackling with the aftershocks of magic, of something so much bigger than either of them.
Vector’s chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, his muscles trembling as he forced himself to loosen his grip on her. He’d held her so tight, so close, as if letting go would tear him apart.
His arms ached. His chains hung limp on the floor, useless, forgotten. They were irrelevant now. Unnecessary.
Because the only thing that mattered was her.
Raven’s body was utterly spent, soft and pliant in his arms. Her breathing was shallow, her pulse unsteady, her fragile human body nearly overwhelmedby the intensity of his magic, his power.
“Wow.” She sighed and melted against him.
Something primal and fierce snappedinside him. Protective. Devoted. Obsessed.
She washis.
His to protect. His to care for. His to worship.
Had he been too rough? Had he nearly broken her.
Dragon snarled at him, annoyed that he dared suggest such a thing.
A low, rough curse left his lips as he shifted, pulling her closer,tucking her into his body so he could give her his warmth, his strength. He pressed a kiss to her temple, his lips lingering there, his own breath still uneven.
"Easy, little one," he murmured, brushing his fingers down her spine, sending soothing waves of healing magic through her skin. "I’ve got you."
Raven shuddered, a soft, sleepy sound escaping her lips as his power curled around her, inside her, healing the exhaustion in her limbs, sinking into her blood like a lullaby.
Her lashes fluttered, her breath slowing.
"Vector…" Her voice was barely a whisper. “What’s happening to me?”
"I’m here. I’ve got you," he promised, his tone raw, unguarded. "Sleep now."
She did. Right there, tangled in his arms, pressed to his chest, completelyhis.
He held her tighter, staring down at her with something dangerous, something unchangeable settling in his gut.
He had been reckless. Desperate. He’d taken her body.
But if he wanted to keep her—if he wanted her tostayby choice—he would have to earn her. Not just with heat and magic and primal possession, but with patience. With devotion.
