The garage door slid upward, unveiling a wall of darkness.A gust of frigid air carried the scent of evergreens and a chilly edge into the vehicle.As they eased onto the non-existent road, the door descended behind them, sealing off the light.
"The headlights?"Ancelin asked, peering into the impenetrable black.
"Not necessary," Krevan murmured, yet flicked them on anyway."Sleep now.The sunrise will be our alarm for breakfast."His palm settled on her leg, warm through the fabric.Ancelin retrieved the blanket from behind them and nestled against the passenger door.Sleep claimed her almost instantly—that strange, complete surrender she only experienced in Krevan's presence, a bottomless rest without dreams or fears that continued to baffle her.
Krevan drove until the sun was high in the sky.The temperature outside had become more pleasant.He parked near a cluster of trees, where the warm season still lingered, making the landscape lush and green.Ancelin remained asleep, showing no signs of waking.Krevan laid out the other blanket on the ground beside the vehicle and gathered the box of food Ancelin had prepared.After setting everything up, he returned to the vehicle to wake Ancelin."Ancelin, wake up.I've got our picnic ready.I'm starving," he said, gently running his hand over her head and through her long, silky auburn hair.He admired how her hair framed her face, enjoying the silky strands especially when they were intimate.Watching her sleep, he noticed her delicate and perfect features.Her lips were full and inviting, and he longed to kiss them.The morning sunlight highlighted her flawless, light golden complexion.Ancelin slowly awoke, looking at him with wide, sleepy eyes.
"Did you get everything?"she asked.
"Yes, my sweet girl.I believe so," he replied.“It’s all ready for us to enjoy.”
Ancelin pushed her door open, and Krevan was suddenly there, offering his hand.She noticed her pulse quickened only slightly this time—she was getting used to how he moved so silently.Stepping into the sunshine, she felt warmth spread across her face and arms."The temperature's perfect," she said, surveying the lush green meadow surrounding them."It's as if someone designed this clearing especially for our picnic."
Krevan studied her face, his gaze intent."Enjoy this while it lasts," he murmured."Winter arrives suddenly here—nights that freeze your breath, mornings that bite through layers."His fingertips grazed against hers."Our weather doesn't transition gently.It shifts with the temperament of a wild thing—fierce one moment, destructive the next.That's what breeds the tornadoes."
They ate in companionable silence, savoring the meal Ancelin had prepared.When the last bite was gone, she found herself inching toward him across the blanket.Krevan noticed and reached for her, drawing her into his lap with one fluid motion.Ancelin nestled against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her cheek."Krevan," she whispered, her voice catching slightly, "I'm not sure I could have survived here without you."
Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close and kissed the side of her neck where it met her shoulder.Ancelin melted against him with a soft sigh, her body responding to his touch as naturally as flowers turn toward sunlight.The warmth of his body enveloped her, his unique scent—like cedar and starlight—filling her senses.
"Ancelin," Krevan whispered against her skin, his voice thick with longing, "I need you.Here, now, under this open sky."His hands trembled slightly as he guided her beside him on the blanket, his eyes never leaving hers.As clothing gave way to heated skin, Ancelin's heart raced with anticipation.The distinctive ridges along his arousal fascinated her as she explored him with reverent touches and tender kisses.
"You're everything," he breathed as she took him into her mouth, her auburn hair cascading around them like a silken curtain.His pleasure became hers, each gasp and shudder between them a shared secret language.When his release came, it was with her name on his lips like a prayer.Afterward, he cradled her face between his hands, pressing his forehead to hers before laying her gently back onto their blanket.In his haste to continue their passionate union, her delicate undergarments tore beneath his fingers.
"Oh," Ancelin laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief."I didn’t bring extra underwear."
"Then I'll keep you here forever," Krevan murmured against her lips.
"The taste of you,” she whispered, her voice catching, "it's everywhere in me now."
Krevan's ever-changing eyes softened as he gazed at her with unmasked adoration.His hands caressed her thighs with tender reverence.When they joined, Ancelin's breath caught—not just from sensation but from the overwhelming tenderness in his expression.She traced the curve of his cheek with trembling fingers.Her heart expanded painfully in her chest as he whispered her name against her skin.They moved together in a dance uniquely theirs.The world around them disappeared until there was only this—only them—creating something beautiful between their bodies.When the moment of completion came, they held each other's gaze, refusing to look away from the vulnerability reflected there.His fangs grazed her shoulder not to claim but to cherish, sealing their connection.Afterward, she nestled against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her ear while their fingers wove together.His breath warmed her temple as he whispered words in a language she couldn't understand but somehow recognized.
"I don't know what you're saying, but I love how it sounds," she murmured, her eyes half-closed.
"I'm telling you that I love you and your mouth is a miracle," Krevan said softly between gentle kisses.
Ancelin’s fingers curled around the back of his neck, weaving through his soft hair as their tongues met in a heated dance.She savored his taste.“I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
“Ancelin, you make me happy,” he replied, his kisses deepening.
“Every time we come together, you blow my mind,” she murmured, sliding her hand down to his still-throbbing length, slick with their shared desire.Krevan gasped as her fist closed around him, her strokes precise and teasing.
“Ancelin,” he groaned, eyes fluttering shut, “if you keep that up, I’ll have to take you again—hard enough that walking through the market will be a challenge.”His voice was low, serious.“I could stay right here and make love to you all day.No joke.But it’s your choice—stop now if you want to shop or let me lose control.”
Her pulse surged at his warning.Straddling him, she pressed her body against him.“Oh, that is tempting.But yes, I do want to make it to the market today.”She brushed a gentle kiss across his cheek.
Ancelin buttoned her blouse slowly, watching Krevan pull his shirt over his head, neither looking away until the last piece of clothing concealed what they'd just shared.They folded the blanket together, fingers brushing deliberately, before he opened her door and offered his hand, his touch lingering as she settled into her seat for the journey to Silos.
Silos hummed with commerce and conversation.Merchants called out prices while shoppers navigated the maze of booths displaying everything from handcrafted trinkets to exotic spices.When Ancelin's eyes widened at the spectacle, Krevan couldn't help but mirror her delight, knowing exactly how it felt to discover such vibrant chaos for the first time.
She studied him now—the fierce guardian she’d fallen for, the dangerous yet devoted warrior she’d only just met but already felt she’d known forever.Perhaps it was the Triaxen mating bond, or his demigod beauty, or the thrill of his edge of danger—whatever it was, it bound her heart to his.Add to that their newly shared intimacy and his gentle protection, and she felt need and happiness swell all at once.For the first time, her past misery felt distant.In his presence, she was simply, blissfully content.
Krevan took her hand, his thumb tracing the delicate bones of her wrist."The way your eyes light up at new things," he murmured, voice rough with emotion."Sometimes I can barely breathe watching you."His grip tightened almost subtly as his gaze shifted to the bustling market beyond the windshield."Stay within arm's reach today," he said, the tenderness in his eyes hardening to something ancient and vigilant."Silos brings merchants from the outer territories.They can be dangerous."His jaw clenched.He released her hand and exited the vehicle, his movements fluid but tense as he came around to open her door.
"Krevan," Ancelin whispered, her fingers finding his, "the shipping company first?"She hesitated, glancing at the bustling market."But I was thinking...about the medical clinic too."Her voice softened further."For a test.And perhaps that prevention shot, if we haven't already—"Her eyes met his, vulnerable yet determined.
Krevan guided her into a little white building located at the street corner.He brought her to a reception desk where a peculiar man was seated.This man wasn’t a humanoid from Earth or Triaxen; he was entirely different, with lavender-tinted skin and hair.The room had several chairs arranged around it, giving it the appearance of a waiting area.
"Krevan Vallex," he announced at the front desk, his hand possessively at the small of Ancelin's back."My wife has an appointment.I arranged for priority service."
