His teeth graze the mating mark, and I gasp. The sensation shoots straight through me, pleasure and possession intertwined.
“This mark,” he growls, “means you’re mine. No council, no hearing, no curse can change that.”
“Kieran…” His name is a plea.
He pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” I reply breathlessly. “I want you.”
The smile that crosses his face is pure, predatory satisfaction. “You have me. Always.”
He kisses me again, more gently this time, savoring me. His hands continue their exploration, learning every inch of me, and mine do the same to him.
When he finally pulls my shirt over my head, I don’t feel exposed. I feel claimed. Cherished.
His eyes darken as he takes me in. “Perfect,” he breathes.
I tug at his shirt, and he helps me remove it. The sight of him—all muscle and scars and raw power—makes my mouth go dry.
“Like what you see?” There’s a teasing edge to his voice.
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He laughs, the sound rumbling through his chest. He complies, and we lose ourselves in each other, the world outside this room fading away.
His hand slides down my stomach, and when his fingers dip below my waistband, I arch into him with a gasp.
“So responsive,” he murmurs against my ear. “I love the sounds you make for me.”
I’m trembling, every nerve ending on fire. “Please…”
“Please what?” His fingers taunt me, barely touching where I need him most.
“Don’t tease.”
“But I love watching you fall apart.” He kisses my neck, teeth grazing my mark again. “Love knowing I’m the one making you feel this way.”
“Kieran—” His name comes out as a moan this time.
He captures my mouth again, swallowing my sounds as his hand finally gives me what I need. The pleasure builds rapidly; it’s all consuming, and I cling to my mate like he’s the only thing keeping me grounded.
When I come apart, he holds me through it, murmuring praise against my skin. I’m still catching my breath when he kisses me again, reverently now.
“I meant what I said,” he whispers.
I look up at him, this man who has loved me through lifetimes, who has suffered and died and been reborn just to find me again.
“I know. I love you, too,” I breathe, and the words feel truer every time I say them.
His eyes shine with emotion as he holds me, and then, we lose ourselves in each other once more.
The weight of everything else fades away—Lady Celeste, the curse, my questionable paternity, the necromancer. None of it matters right now.
Right now, there is only us.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.
Chapter Fourteen
