Her pulse drummed wildly, her breath shuddering.
“I will have you no other way…” she whispered.
Rune closed his eyes briefly, as if committing a sin he had sworn never to repeat. Then he inhaled a breath and let his glamor fall away.
She gazed at her mate carved from shadow and fire, veined with magma and wrapped in living shadow. Wings arched like a cathedral behind him, horns catching firelight like blades, fangs glinting.
Alora’s breath shuddered in awe. He was terrifying, but not to her. Not anymore. Because even in his most unholy form, Rune was still the man who challenged her, who defied the Heavens for her, and who burned for her.
And she would gladly do the same.
His eyes churned with eternal flames. “Do you understand what it means to take me as I am, little bird? You are asking to be blessed, broken, and baptized in shadow. Once I claim you completely, I will ruin everything in you that was ever pure.”
Alora’s heart fluttered at the warning.
He was her damnation and her grace.
And she would have it no other way.
“Then ruin me.”
A faint exhale slipped from his lips. Rilling them onto the bed, he pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, kissing away the tear that had spilled. His mouth traveled over her jaw, until he reached her mouth. She scooted back toward the pillows as he climbed over her. He kissed her breasts, and down her stomach, licking and nipping a path of fire. She tangled her fingers in his hair, as he settled between her legs.
“I have dreamed of this moment,” Rune panted as he returned to her mouth. She shivered as he stroked himself against her entrance. “Dreamed of what it would feel like to sink inside of you.”
Alora rolled her eyes playfully. “Only you would dream of something so insignificant.”
Rune smirked softly, breathing her in.
“Nothing about you is insignificant.” He kissed her slowly, tenderly, as if she were all source of air.You are so beautiful, Alora. You glow brighter than any dawn.
That was all it took to make her vision mist because she could hear it, how much he yearned.
Her breath quivered in a pained gasp as he slowly pushed into her.
“Seven Hells,” Rune groaned, his jaw clenched. Sweat coated his forehead. “You’re so fucking tight. Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Keep going.”
He sank a little more and she had to bite her lip to keep from screaming. She squeezed eyes shut. The fit was impossible. She was too small. He cursed, his claws tearing into the bedding in fistfuls. It hurt too much. Breathe, simply breathe.
“Alora.”
She opened her eyes.
Rune studied her, worry glowing in his slitted irises like blood beneath ash. “I should stop. You’re in pain.”
“What? No, I’m fine.” Alora glanced down between them and to her dismay, he was hardly in. “I-I can do it.”
“You can, when you’re ready,” Rune said and she winced as he gently removed himself. “Some things cannot be rushed. I need to prepare your body to take me first.”
Before she could speak, darkness slithered up her thighs and over her hips like velvet ropes. Instead of binding her like he used to, shadowed hands took hold of her waist, a body shifting beneath her until she was sitting on a lap.
Alora looked over her shoulder wide-eyed at the shadow figure now holding her. It was solid as black smoke, and it looked likeRune. With the same horns, wings, and glowing eyes.
“My shadow-self,” Rune introduced with a sly smile. “Shall we let it join us?”
Her heart thudded wildly and she recalled what he had mentioned before about more than one of him pleasing her. Heat unfurled low in her belly at the thought. She met Rune’s gaze, breath unsteady, and nodded.
