“I’ll spell it out for you,” he whispers, capturing my cheek with one hand as the other still keeps me in place. He brings his lips to mine, ghosting them across my skin as he speaks. “I’m only going to make love to you from now on. Got it?”
I gape at him in a mixture of awe and disbelief as he pulls out, but this time, when he reclaims his position inside of me, he takes his time, dragging the moment out as he takes each inch cautiously. When he’s fully seated, and I somehow feel fuller than ever, he rocks his dick in just the right way and my pussy spasms around him.
“I’m going to take my time with you,” he breathes, and I gulp.
“I’m already close,” I croak, and he nods, satisfaction dancing in his eyes.
“I know.” He rocks back, slowly claiming me time and time again.
The air thickens around us, drowning me in ecstasy as I hold on for dear life. His whole demeanor shifts. Gone is the race to glory and the short and sharp thrusts, and in its place is a slow, languid drive that shatters my pussy until I’m a panting bundle of nerves, dangling over the edge of rapture.
“Fuck, Rion. Fuck,” I cry as every muscle tightens in my body before shattering into a million pieces. His pace doesn’t falter as his pupils dilate, and I know he’s close too.
Tightening my arms around his neck, I pull him closer so I can crush my lips to his, and he groans against my tongue before grunting his release. My climax flickers to life once again as he buries himself inside me, his lips against mine as he pins me to the wall.
I don’t know how long we stay there for, breathing each other in with soft kisses, gentle touches, and a new air of intimacy enveloping us, but I know I could stay for all of eternity if given the chance.
Eventually, he slowly lowers me to my feet, taking the time to wash every inch of my body with my chosen scent before repeating the motion for himself. Once he’s satisfied, I’m bundled up in a towel and carried back into his bedroom.
I have no words, but it doesn’t feel like any are needed as he sits me at the foot of his bed and gets to work drying me off and dressing me. I’m not surprised when he reveals my brand-new red lace lingerie set that I haven’t worn yet. I should have known he would have gone for that instantly. I don’t complain about his choice of clothing that he brought from my room: a black pair of sweatpants and a matching hoodie with a simple loose tee to go underneath.
Once he’s done, he grins down at me like the Cheshire Cat. “I like knowing what you’re wearing underneath this,” he breathes, tugging at my hoodie, and I try to hide my smile but fail miserably. “Give me two seconds, and we’ll see where the food is, but something tells me it’s either burnt or someone else has already eaten it,” he adds with a knowing smirk, and all I can do is nod in agreement.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m all gooey on the inside and at a loss for words. Those aren’t two things I would ever use to describe myself, yet here I am, proving myself wrong.
As promised, he returns from his walk-in closet a moment later wearing a gray version of the same outfit I’m wearing. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not.
He offers me his hand and I place my small digits in his large palm, feeling the size difference as he tugs me to my feet. I’m tucked under his arm a moment later as he directs me toward the main living space.
My steps falter and my smile loses some of its curve when he opens the door to reveal Kael sitting on the sofa. Sadness threatens to coat my veins, but he offers a small wave, making sure there’s no awkwardness.
“You better not have eaten my breakfast,” Rion says, his tone lighthearted as Kael rolls his eyes.
“Something told me Elodie would need the sustenance,” he replies with a wink, and I feel my cheeks heat as a blush definitely colors my cheeks.
Rion throws his head back with a laugh as I consider if I want the ground to open up and take me now, but I don’t get the chance to make a firm decision before the sound of a door swinging open captures everyone’s attention. Thorne stands in his doorway, eyebrows drawn together with a frantic glimmer in his eyes, and it freezes me in place.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, finally able to use my tongue when the energy shifts to a serious level.
He wipes a hand down his face, the tension thickening around us as he shakes his head. “I don’t know, but there’s something about the magic in The Vale. It feels… different.”
“Different? How can it be different?” Rion asks, his spine stiffening beneath my palm at the center of his back as Kael grunts.
“In what way?”
“Weaker,” Thorne replies, but his eyes crinkle with a hint of uncertainty.
“Can’t you just give it a little more to cover the weakness?” Rion asks, and the shadow fae shakes his head.
“No. It feels like it’s trying to drain me too,” he admits, making my pulse quicken for an entirely different reason now.
“Then disconnect yourself from it altogether,” I blurt, worrying my bottom lip as I stare at him, and he shakes his head.
“No. I vowed to you that I would strengthen the protection in The Vale so you would come back. I won’t break that vow,” he grinds out, and I blink at him in disbelief.
“Not at the cost of your own safety,” I retort, and he parts his lips, ready to argue back when a shrill sound cuts through the air, stopping each of us from thinking anything other than the truth.
“The Rebellion siren.”
