When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard, his dark eyes nearly black with desire, his chest heaving.
"My turn," Riven growled, impatience rough in his voice, and then his mouth was on mine, his kiss nothing like Kaelan's, harder, more demanding, his teeth catching my lower lip in a way that made me gasp. His hands found my waist, pulling me against him, his claws pricking lightly through the fabric of my dress, and I felt the rumble of his growl vibrate through mychest. He kissed me like he was starving and I was the only thing that could save him.
Vale was next, his kiss as musical as his voice—a symphony of soft pressure and gentle exploration, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips until I opened for him with a moan. He kissed like he was composing something beautiful, like he wanted to memorize every note, every breath, every small sound I made. His hands cradled my face like I was made of glass, precious and irreplaceable, a soft rumble of approval in his throat.
And Thane—sweet, tender Thane—kissed me like I was the most precious thing in the world, his lips soft and reverent against mine, his hands warm where they cupped my face. When he pulled back, his golden-brown eyes were bright with emotion, a low purr vibrating in his chest.
"You taste like home," he whispered, his voice thick with wonder, his thumbs stroking across my cheekbones. "I've never had a home before. Not really. But you taste like one."
"More," I breathed, drunk on sensation, on the feeling of being wanted by all of them at once, my skin flushed and tingling. "Please. I need more."
They exchanged glances—those wordless communications that spoke of centuries together—and then hands were everywhere. Kaelan's fingers found the ties at the back of my dress, loosening them slowly, his movements deliberate and careful, giving me time to stop him if I wanted. I didn't want to. I arched into his touch, and the fabric slipped from my shoulders, pooling around my waist, the cool air of the cavern kissing my newly exposed skin.
I should have felt vulnerable. Exposed. Instead, I felt powerful. Desired. Loved.
"Beautiful," Vale breathed, his silver eyes tracing the curves of my body with reverent hunger, his gaze moving over me like a physical touch. "You're so beautiful it hurts to look at you."
"Does it hurt?" I asked, a hint of playfulness creeping into my voice despite my racing heart, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"In the best way," he assured me, his hand coming up to trace along my collarbone, his fingertips leaving trails of heat in their wake, making me shiver. "The kind of hurt you never want to stop feeling."
Riven's mouth found my shoulder, his lips trailing down to the curve of my neck, his teeth scraping gently over my pulse point in a way that made my breath catch. I gasped, tilting my head back to give him better access, and felt his growl of approval vibrate against my skin, deep and possessive and satisfied.
"So responsive," he murmured against my throat, his voice rough with want, his breath hot on my skin. "So perfect. I'm going to spend the rest of eternity learning every sound you make."
Thane's hands found my waist, his touch gentle as he explored the dip of my spine, the flare of my hips, his palms warm and slightly rough against my skin. His expression was one of focused wonder, like he was mapping something sacred, committing every curve and hollow to memory, a low rumble of contentment in his chest.
"Can I—" he started, then stopped, swallowing hard, his golden-brown eyes meeting mine with desperate hope. "Can I touch you here?" His fingers hovered over my stomach, just above the pooled fabric of my dress, trembling slightly.
"Yes," I breathed, reaching out to stroke his cheek. "Yes, Thane. You can touch me anywhere you want." The sound he made was a deep, satisfied purr, and then his palm was flat against my belly, warm and solid and grounding. He stroked gently, reverently, his golden-brown eyes fixed on where his hand met my skin, watching the rise and fall of my breath.
"I've dreamed about this," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion, his fingers splaying wider across my stomach. "Every night since I first saw you. I've dreamed about touching you, holding you, being allowed to love you." His eyes met mine, glowing with intensity. "I never thought the dream would come true."
"It's real," I promised him, reaching down to cover his hand with mine, pressing his palm more firmly against my skin. "I'm real. This is real. And after tonight, you'll never have to dream again."
Kaelan's mouth found the curve of my ear, his breath hot against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "We should stop," he said, though his voice was strained, his body tense with the effort of holding back, his chest pressed against my back, a low growl of frustration rumbling through him. "If we keep going, I'm not sure I'll be able to?—"
"I know," I said, turning my head to press a kiss to his jaw, feeling the muscle clench beneath my lips. "I know. I'm not asking for more. Not yet. I just needed this. I needed to feel you. All of you."
"And now?" Vale asked, his silver eyes searching my face, his hand still resting warm against my collarbone. "How do you feel?" I considered the question. Considered the warmth spreading through my body, the lingering sensation of their hands on my skin, the deep, abiding certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
"Ready," I said simply, the word carrying the weight of everything I felt. "I feel ready."
Kaelan helped me pull my dress back up, his fingers gentle as he retied the laces at my back, his touch lingering longer than necessary, reluctant to stop touching me. But the intimacy of the moment lingered—the knowledge that they had seen me, touched me, wanted me.
Soon, they would have me. Completely. Forever.
"The transformation," I said, settling back into the nest, surrounded by their warmth, their bodies pressing close around me. "How does it work? What do I need to do?"
"There's a ritual," Kaelan explained, his voice steadier now, though his eyes still held the heat of what we'd just shared, his hand finding mine and lacing our fingers together. "A potion, similar to the one that lets you breathe underwater, but more powerful. Permanent. You'll drink it, and then..." He paused, something pained flickering across his features, his jaw tightening. "It will hurt. The change is not gentle. Your body will remake itself—bones shifting, lungs transforming, everything becoming something new."
"How long?" I asked, my voice steady despite the flutter of fear in my chest, squeezing his hand.
"A few hours," Vale said softly, his hand finding mine and squeezing, his silver eyes dark with concern. "The worst of it passes quickly, but the complete transformation takes time. We'll be with you the entire time. We'll hold you through all of it."
"And when it's over?" I pressed, looking between them, needing to hear it again.
"When it's over," Riven said, his golden eyes fierce with promise, his scarred face set with absolute certainty, a low growl of anticipation in his voice, "you'll be one of us. Siren. Pack. Ours." His voice dropped to a rough whisper, vibrating with possessive intensity. "Forever."
