And as if that was what he’d been waiting for, Cethin grunted, “Fuck, yes. Just like that. So good, wife. Look at you,” as he came, his release spilling over his fist and pooling on his taut stomach.
Then it was just the sound of their heavy breathing as they stared at each other from across the room. He was more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. He still looked tired, weighed down by his responsibilities, but he was loose. Unguarded. The same way he’d been in the bathing chamber that day but different. There he’d looked tortured and desperate; here he looked tired but sated.
It was then she realized that this whole affair had been for him as much as it’d been for her, but he’d let her be in control the entire time. Not once did he push for more. She’d practicallyinvited him to come over and kiss her, and he’d still held to their original rules.
They took turns cleaning up in the bathing chamber, and when she climbed into the bed, so did he. He’d stopped putting the pillows between them since thenagasky.Neither of them spoke because what was there to say? She felt like she should thank him, but that also felt silly. How does one thank someone for an orgasm? Even if that release had calmed her soul in a way she’d only ever found by getting lost in her power?
She rolled over to face him, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. His breathing was slow and even, but she didn’t think he was asleep yet. Despite that, she slowly slid her other hand over until her fingers brushed along his abdomen, settling her palm there. Skin to skin. Touch and sensation that she was in control of.
His muscles went taut beneath her touch, but he said nothing. He didn’t move. Each breath becoming measured and controlled.
And for the first time in her life, she fell asleep while touching another.
Chapter 34
Razik
“Are you almost ready?” Wren called out.
He ignored her, searching the shelves for a specific volume he knew was in this room. He didn’t get to come here nearly as often as he liked, so he figured he might as well grab some books while he could. The whole idea of Kailia’s power not working in her dreams had given him a few new theories, but they were ones he definitely could not throw out unless he was sure.
“Razik, seriously,” Wren said, appearing in the room. “I know this is where you’d prefer to spend your days, but most of us do not like spending our time in caves.”
“What’s wrong with my cave?” he asked, finally finding the book tucked away on a bottom shelf.
“There’s nothing wrong with it foryou,” she said. “And I know why you came here. I’m just ready to go back.”
He didn’t say anything in response, grabbing the other two books he’d already collected. He didn’t know what she was complaining about. For centuries he’d been working to make this place his own. It wasn’t a simple godsdamn hole in the side of a mountain. Few people knew about it, and he liked it thatway. People were busybodies, and nobody could touch the things he kept here.
This is also where he came when his power was too low, and after the events of the Union Ceremony two nights ago, it had been pretty fucking low. Primal instincts took over when his power was that depleted, and it had taken everything not to draw from Wren right then and there. But he hated doing so in front of people. Source bonds were rare in Avonleya these days. It made him feel like he was on display somehow. More than that, he hated that it put Wren on display. She’d dealt with enough shit in her life.
Feeling more than a little vulnerable with his magic reserves so depleted, he’d Traveled them to his cave where they wouldn’t be disturbed. It was the one place he felt like he could truly let his guard down because no one knew where it was. Tybalt knew the location. Wren knew of it, having been here, but even she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone exactly where in the Nightmist Mountains his cave was hidden. Beyond that, he had so many wards around the thing, no one could ever simply stumble onto it either.
It was completely hidden. Completely secure. Completely his.
But they’d been here nearly two days now, and Wren didn’t like staying holed up for long, even if they weren’t in a cave. She was a social thing and needed interaction beyond him. He couldn’t exactly blame her, given how little he cared for conversation and how he’d rather be reading.
“Did you rest enough?” he asked, slipping the books into a leather bag.
“Yes, Razik,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“I took a lot from you. There is no way your reserves are refilled because mine aren’t even full,” he replied.
“And I can’t do anything about that for a few more days,” she retorted.
“Which is why I’d rather you stay here. Where it’s safe,” he argued.
“Razik, I’ll be fine,” she insisted. “Please don’t make me stay here.”
“I’m not going to make you do anything,” he said flatly. “Will you at least stay at the castle for the next few days? Don’t leave?”
She patted his chest as he slipped an arm around her waist. “Sure, Razik.”
“You’re placating me,” he grumbled.
“I would never,” she said with a wink as he Traveled them back to the castle.
She went to pull away, but he caught her hand. Looking back over her shoulder, she waited for him to speak.
