She smirks. “Good.”
I laugh breathlessly.
“Do you believe me now?” I whisper.
“Huh?” She murmurs.
“That I want you.” I say, cradling her face. “Not the bond. Not the beast.Me.”
A slow, genuine smile spreads over her face, like the sun rising over snow, and it wrecks me all over again.
I flip us in one quick motion, pinning her beneath me. The remnants of frostvines still cling to my ankles, but I can’t bring myself to care about anything except the way she’s looking at me right now.
“Kai’morin ves thral,” I rasp. (You are my everything.) “Do you see it now? That I’ve always wanted you?”
She nods, eyes glassy.
“Say it,” I growl softly. “I need to hear you say it.”
“I believe you, Andrik.” Her voice is raspier than usual.
I claim her mouth in a messy kiss, pouring everything I can’t say into it.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
“So you have a knot,” she whispers.
I chuckle, “A vreskaeth, yes.” I confirm hoarsely. “The only one of my kind that has it. Rhavaris do have heats, but not a single female has ever concieved. The gods create us.”
She glances down between us.
“I did have an elder examine me, he said the purpose was to lock us together.” My hips press against hers involuntarily. “When I’m inside you. When I?—”
I can’t finish my sentence. I have to control myself so this doesn’t go any further. Not until her stalker is dealt with.
Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer.
“Show me,” she breathes against my ear.
“Lumi, you know we have to wait,” I say, forcing the shift back under my skin.
She makes a frustrated sound, her legs tighten around my waist, fingers digging into my shoulders like she’s trying to climb into me.
“But I want—” She nuzzles my throat, her breath hot against my pulse. “Andrik—please.”
“Saelûn.” I catch her face gently, forcing her to look at me. Her pupils are blown wide, “you’re drunk on me right now.”
“So?” She tries to kiss me again.
I laugh softly, pulling her fully against my chest and rolling us again so she’s draped over me.
Close, but not in a position where she can try to?—
“So,” I murmur into her hair. “I need you clear-headed, not high on venom.”
She huffs against my chest, but doesn’t argue. Just clings tighter, her body melting into mine.
I can’t stop kissing her.
