"You're going to be the death of me." He pulled her up, kissing her hard, tasting himself on her tongue. "My turn."
He pushed her back on the bed, settling between her thighs. Her core was slick and ready, the scent of her arousal making his mouth water. He kissed down her neck, her collarbone, the swell of her breasts. Took one nipple in his mouth, sucking hard enough to make her arch.
""Holy shit, Tristan,” she moaned.
He moved to the other breast, giving it the same attention. Her hands fisted in his hair, holding him there. Her shadows wrapped around his arms, his shoulders, adding sensation on top of sensation.
He kissed down her stomach, her hip, the inside of her thigh. She spread wider, shameless in her want. He looked up at her, meeting silver eyes gone dark with need.
"Tell me what you want."
"You. Your mouth. Please." The last word broke on a moan as he finally gave her what she wanted.
His tongue traced through her folds, tasting her properly for the first time. She was sweet and salty and perfect. He found her clit, circling it with his tongue until her hips started moving against his face.
"More," she gasped.
He slid two fingers inside her, feeling her clench around him. Tight and wet and ready. He worked her with tongue and fingers together, building her up, feeling her get closer with every stroke.
Her shadows tightened around him, trembling like she was. Her breathing turned ragged. He added a third finger, stretching her, preparing her for what came next.
She came with his name on her lips, her body clenching rhythmically around his fingers. He worked her through it, drawing out the exquisite pleasure until she pushed at his head with shaking hands.
He crawled up her body, kissing her deeply so she could taste herself. His cock was hard again, pressing against her thigh.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes. Please." Her legs encircled his waist. "I want all of you."
He positioned himself at her entrance, the head of his cock pressing against slick heat. "Once we do this, once I mark you, there's no going back. The bond will be permanent. Complete."
"I know." Her hands found his face, holding him so he had to look at her. "I want permanent. I want complete. I want you."
He pushed in slowly, feeling her stretch around him. So tight. So perfect. He gave her time to adjust, keeping himself still despite every instinct screaming to move.
"Okay?" he managed.
"More." She rolled her hips, taking him deeper. "Don't hold back. I'm not fragile."
He withdrew and thrust hard, bottoming out. She cried out, nails digging into his shoulders. He set a rhythm that was deep and claiming, showing her exactly what it meant to be his.
Her shadows covered them both, creating a cocoon of darkness and sensation. They moved across his skin like physical touch, adding pleasure everywhere they went. His tiger rose fully to the surface, amber-gold bleeding through ice-blue.
"Now," she gasped. "Mark me now."
He leaned down, finding the junction of her neck and shoulder. His teeth scraped the skin there, not breaking yet. Savoring the moment before everything changed.
He bit down, his canines extending to pierce flesh.
Her shadows exploded outward, flaring bright silver-white. The bond snapped into place with force that stole his breath. He felt her everywhere. Her pleasure, her love, her absolute certainty that this was right.
Blood welled around his teeth. He licked the wound, sealing it, then pulled back to look at the mark. Two punctures surrounded by bruising that would fade to a permanent silver scar. His mark. His claim. Visible for anyone to see.
He kept moving deeper, harder inside her, still chasing his release.
She pressed her hand over his heart, shadows pooling beneath her palm. Words in a language he didn't understand spilled from her lips. The shadows burned into his skin, not painful but intense. He felt them sinking deep, creating a pattern, a spell-circle that bound her magic to his flesh.
When she lifted her hand, a perfect circle marked his chest directly over his heart. Shadow-work made permanent. Her claim matching his.
