He rubs his cheek against mine, and leans back to spear me with his amber gaze. “But Kim, you are exactly what I needed.”
I swallow against my suddenly hard throat. “Really?”
“You are everything I didn’t know I could want. Better that I could have imagined… or dreamed of.”
A tremor goes through me, and my eyes are suddenly wet. Dammit, I’m getting all gushy. Who knew I was longing to hear my big golden asshat tell me this? “I’m never going to be a sweet, submissive courtesan,” I warn, blinking furiously. “I’m not the type.”
“You’re sweet with me,” he purrs, nuzzling my neck. He licks the bite, and a jolt of achy pleasure rushes through me. My limbs feel weak. In another second, I’ll be helpless to resist, so I swat him. “Stop it.”
He captures my offending hand and kisses it. “You are submissive when you take my cock.”
“Stop it,” I huff. I’m getting super wet again. “You know what I mean. I’m not all cultured and refined.” I mime drinking tea with my pinky finger sticking out, which is stupid because Aurus probably has no idea what a teacup is.
“You are perfect.”
I open my mouth to argue but close it again. After all, why would I argue with that? “Go on…”
“You are beautiful and wise. A strong and able—if tiny—warrior.”
“And I stand up to you,” I add with a wink. “God knows you need it.”
“I do not agree with that.”
I snicker.
“You are perfect for me. My strong little Omega. My queen.”
A purple Sky Fighter streaks over the arena, wind whistling in its wake. Sand gusts around us. We curl into each other, protecting our faces with each other’s bodies.
When the gust has died down and the sand has settled, Aurus raises his head to peer at the sky.
“The battle is over,” he says. “I must go.”
I moan a little as his delicious weight leaves me. I roll up to sit, shaking sand from my hair, brushing it with my fingers. “Where are you going?”
“I am the king. I must see that my people are well, and put the kingdom back to rights.” He turns to the broken skimmer and, with a rueful shake of his head, pivots away. He kicks aside his dented helmet as he strides for the exit.
It takes me a second to leap to my feet, but only because I’m too busy drooling over his sleekly muscled backside outlined in his breeches.
“Wait!” I dash after him. He slows, and I skid on the sand to a stop in front of him. “I’m going with you.”
He opens his mouth to argue, and I point a finger right in his face. “You just told me I’m your queen. Does a queen lounge in a palace while her people are hurting? Or does she go and help?”
He glares at me.
I glare back. “Think carefully before you answer.” My growl is as intimidating as any Alpha’s.
“I wish you would stay here,” he grumbles. “It may be dangerous.”
“You’ll keep me safe. And I’ll protect you. We have each other’s back. That’s what being equals in a relationship means.”
“Very well, my Kim.” He caresses my cheek. “But first we will stop in our quarters for some fresh clothes.”
“Deal.” It’s a good thing I already modified all my long gowns into something more practical.
There’s a blooming warmth in my chest, unfolding its petals, blossoming bigger and bigger… until my entire being is basking in the perfect contentment of my heart. It’s deeper and sweeter than mere happiness. Heavy and light at the same time.
I press my hand between my breasts. “I feel… is this the soul bond?”
