"You should." He rubs my back in slow, soothing circles. “You’re perfect. So perfect.”
“I… I don’t know your name.” I’m not sure why this is the moment I realize that. But it is. He looks resolved. Happy.
“Malakar,” He whispers it as he searches my eyes.
“Malakar,” I whisper back, tasting the name on my tongue. “I… I choose to stay. But I will always hate you.” I mean the first part, but the last part no longer holds any heat. We’re still connected, and I feel his cock pulse inside me when I say his name. I lean forward and kiss him.
He pulls back to look at me, and there's something different in his eyes. Something permanent. "The bond. It's locked. Permanently. Do you feel it?"
I do. It's not pulling anymore. It's settled. Complete. Like a puzzle piece finally clicking into place.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means you're mine and I'm yours. Forever. In every way that matters." He brushes hair from my face.
Tears spring to my eyes again. "I still hate you." But I'm crying.
"I know." He kisses my tears away. "And I still love you. Both are true. Both will always be true."
I pull him down into another kiss, slower this time. Softer.
"I will destroy anyone who tries to hurt us. Anyone who tries to take us from each other. Do you understand?" His words sound angry but I know it’s not directed at me.
"Yes." There's something fierce in his expression now. Something that matches what I feel inside. "We protect each other. By any means necessary."
"By destroying threats," He clarifies.
"By destroying threats," I agree.
I look at him This monster who cursed me, who stole my life, who I hate and love in equal measure. This dragon who gave me his true name, who let me stab him, who just made love to me in the ruins of his castle like I was the only thing that mattered.
"This isn't forgiveness," I say. "I'm not forgiving you for what you did."
"I know." He kisses my forehead. "I'm not asking for forgiveness."
"And I'm still going to hate you sometimes."
"As you should." He’s kissing my neck now and sucking on the skin in a way that will leave bruises.
"But I'm choosing this. I'm choosing you.” My words are coming out breathless. “Knowing exactly what you are. What we are together."
"I know." His smile is sad and beautiful and real. "And I'm choosing you. Every day. For as long as you'll have me." He starts thrusting up into me again. Brutal and hard. His claws pierce the skin on my hips in a delicious way.
I throw my head back as I think about the prince, about the tower, about the century I lost. I think about the bond that pulled me here, about the fire that came from my mouth, about the way I feel complete for the first time since I woke from that cursed sleep.
His thrusts come faster and more animalistic. This isn’t about showing how much we love each other. It’s about showing how much we need each other. How we both choose each other and will continue to choose each other again and again.
He bounces me so hard against him that I feel his cock deep inside my body, rearranging my intestines. I come with a scream and his name on my lips.
Love didn't save us. Choice did.
The monster, slain by the princess he tried to keep.
Justice, at last.
EPILOGUE
MALAKAR
