I spun her to me so that we were nearly touching. I waited. Her eyes, ever so slightly more open than before, were all the answers I needed.
“I will ask just once more. Tell me why you’re here.”
“And if I do not?”
No more words.
I grabbed the hem of her gown, pulling it up to her waist. There was no barrier under the gown, though I’d have torn it off if there were. I didn’t pause, or hesitate. With the only permission I needed—Lyra not raising a hand to stop me—I held her gown up with one hand and cupped her with the other. Slipping a finger inside to confirm my suspicions, and then another, discovering her as wet as I assumed, I watched her face as I worked Lyra.
Hard.
Not thrusting, but easing in and out. Circling her with my thumb. Ignoring my own body’s response to being inside her, even if it were just my fingers.
For now.
I wanted to kiss her. But I wanted to watch Lyra’s expression more. Her lips parted, tempting me beyond measure.
“You will tell me why you came to this chamber tonight, Lyra,” I said, not softening the edge of my voice.
She held firm, pressing against my fingers… Her breath came more quickly. I could help Lyra find her release, just a small adjustment of my thumb…
“Terran,” she breathed, nearly tearing me apart. I wanted to be inside her. Claim her. But I also knew what Lyra needed, and it was to let herself completely lose control.
Which meant, I needed to take it for her.
“Tell me.”
With that final command, my fingers stilled, just before her walls began to clench.
“No,” she said, finally realizing my intention. “Terran, please.”
My hand remained still. “I do love hearing you beg for me to continue. As I said you would,” I reminded her.
Lyra’s eyes flashed. She’d evidently forgotten that. I hadn’t. Not even for a moment.
“But that wasn’t my request.”
“Request?” She panted, a sweet sound if I’d ever heard one. “Command, you mean.”
I moved, just slightly. Not enough, but just as a reminder. She pressed against my hand, urging me on without words.
“Command,” I confirmed. “And I won’t ask again.”
She was going to come just as we were. I could feel it. Sense it. And so I pulled my fingers from her completely.
“No!”
Smiling, I left my hand where it was. But said nothing.
“I came here… for this,” she said finally.
I thrust my fingers into her, relentless in my pursuit of her release.
“Voren vel’kora,” I whispered, before claiming her lips, mimicking the movement of my fingers with my tongue and knowing it would not be long.
When it came, Lyra’s release was as powerful as her magic. She cried out as the involuntary pulses around my dripping-wet fingers verified what I knew already.
Aetherians prided themselves on control of themselves. With me, she’d been able to let go in spectacular fashion.
