I read between the lines of everything he’d just said, but it was one damn dance. I wasn’t planning on sleeping with Darin. And sure, a part of me deep down that wasn’t under the influence of the elixir knew I was making a bad decision, but I just couldn’t stop myself. Maybe I wanted to test Reece’s claim on me, or maybe I really wanted to dance. Either way, I’d made my choice.
Darin tightened his grip and pulled me to my feet, leading me onto the dance floor. A faster beat started almost at the same time, and I recognized this number as one where everyone formed a large circle, moving around the room in a side-stepping and twirling pattern. For a nonromantic dance, Darin had chosen the perfect number.
"Let's do this," I said with a laugh, my legs thankfully stronger than my fuzzy brain as we got into position, facing each other but not touching. The intro began, and I threw myself into it, the steps coming back to me just as they had done with the dance in the Ostealon. Darin only had to touch me a few times, moving me around his body as we swirled and twirled. I couldn’t even feel his hold through my armor, and I found that was how I preferred it. Despite my last stand of independence, Reece’s hands were the only ones I wanted on my body.
As the beat picked up, I threw my head back, braid flying around. Laughter spilled from me; the elixir had me feeling completely out of control again. In a way, the buzz under my skin reminded me of the first time I’d used my wings alone, soaring across the lands. It’d been exhilarating. The only other event to ever come close to that feeling, was the moment I’d met Reece. He’d buzzed my energy too, and it seemed that he always would.
Unlike flying, I’d never gotten used to the affect he had on me.
And what the fuck was I doing dancing with another male?
Of all the stupid decisions I’d ever made, this one was on top.
Just as I tilted my head up to politely excuse myself, Darin swung me toward him, and I was baffled about this out-of-step move, until his lips crashed against mine. There was a split-second of shock before my fury broke through. With a growl, I slammed my hands into his chest, stepping to the side and hooking my foot around the back of his ankle to send him sprawling across the ground. “What in all the fucking sands do you think you’re doin—” My shout was cut off as silence descended over the room, the music silencing midbeat.
I looked down at Darin to find him moving in slow motion, sand surrounding him as he attempted to break free. That was when I knew…Reece had caught that kiss.
I found him in a heartbeat as he stalked across the room, and even though I’d never admit it under torture, my heart raced at the power and fury spinning from him. I didn’t fear for my physical safety around this Desertlandian, but my heart… that was another matter.
Reece’s sands held everyone in the room, but as he got closer, he released Darin. The princeps jumped to his feet, but he had nothing that could stand against Reece’s rage. It was shaking the ground we stood on. No lie, it was an impressive display, and I took a moment to internally fan my vagina because she was far more excited by his strength than was appropriate for the situation.
“Reece, I already dealt—”
He ignored my words, sand and male clashing into Darin, who did his best to try and remain standing under the assault. Tried and failed. The princeps ended up on his knees before taking a massive blow to the chin that sent him sprawling across the ground. The desert god didn’t use his power at all, just brute strength, as he seemed determined to destroy the other Desertlandian with his bare hands.
When Darin was all but unconscious, I decided that enough was enough. Jumping between them, I didn’t pull my weapons, but I did swing my leg out in a solid kick, smashing Reece right in the side. He clearly hadn’t expected me to fight him, and I used that to my advantage, throwing myself forward to wrap my body around his and flip him to the ground. From this position I could hold him until he’d calmed enough that he wouldn’t murder Darin and take away our allies for the battle. Which probably wouldn’t be until the elixir and seed effects wore off for him. Reece was always volatile, but this night he was definitely worse.
He shifted to throw me over his shoulder and reverse our positions, but even with his advantageous longer reach, I’d already anticipated that move and got out of the way. We were both on our feet in a heartbeat, and as my head spun, I cursed the damn elixir. The elixir and Darin, who apparently was all about challenging mate-bonds.
“I had it under control,” I said to Reece, even as guilt for even letting the dance happen hit me.
"You let him touch you," Reece rumbled, gaze hypnotic and filled with fire. "His hands... his lips should never be near you, Lale. For that, he will die."
"It was a dance," I shot back because I had nothing else. “We said a friends-only number. I have no idea why he got so carried away, but I'd already dealt with that."
Reece's eyes darkened, and it wasn't like when he was turned on. This was an out-of-control, everyone’s-going-to-die sort of darkening. Here, in his domain, so close to the Delfora, Reece outpowered us all. A fact made obvious by the way everyone—even Shadow—remained trapped in his sands.
"Let them go," I murmured, leaning in so our faces were close. "I promise you that Darin will never come near me again. It was only supposed to be a dance, but clearly, he wanted to push his luck.”
Sand sprung up around us, blocking everyone else from view, pushing in tight so we were trapped together.
Reece reached for me, gripping the back of my neck as he pulled me close, his mouth hovering over mine. "It can never happen,” he snapped, fierce and furious. “I will destroy them all. I’m the only one to touch these lips." He kissed me hard, and unlike with Darin, my body responded immediately. Reece was my aphrodisiac. My Achilles heel.
As I sank against him, my hips flexed forward to meet his hard erection, arousal taking over. Reece didn't break the kiss, but I felt his sands remove my weapons and then my armor. Within minutes we were naked, and as Reece took us to the ground—me on top again—the wrestling was all about pleasure. I sank down onto his hard length, crying out as he pushed through my tight muscles without hesitation. I wasn't prepped, but neither of us gave a fuck. I cried out again as he thrust roughly, my body moving against each stroke. "Ride me, Lale," he commanded, the low, husky rumble sending a hot burst of heat through my pussy before it settled in my throbbing clit.
"You don't get to command me," I lied breathlessly, even as he was buried inside, claiming my body.
Reece's laughter was dark and raspy. "I called you mate, and while there’s been no time to cement what that means, here are the basics.” His scent and energy wrapped around me, holding me prisoner to his intense gaze as his voice lowered to a harsh whisper. “You are mine, Melalekin. For this day and all of our fucking days. Don't fight me on this, because I won't hesitate to wipe out Darin and any other who has ever touched you. I'm barely holding on."
I saw the truth in his face, and that was when I accepted that the reason I’d danced with Darin was not because I was living out my last drunken night before the battle. The truth was, I’d been too scared to fully accept his words… his claim on me. Scared that it was all talk and, eventually, he would leave me again, just as he had the last time.
“This is forever?” I whispered.
Reece reached up and cupped my cheek, holding onto my face like it was precious. “Until the sands fade.”
My chest was so tight I couldn’t breathe, but at that eternal statement, my soul settled. Whatever cracks had been in our bond cemented—a physical happening I could feel inside.
“We are mates,” I whispered, and then I was moving again, unable to stop myself from sinking deep onto him and rising again.
