His hands caress the nape of my neck, drawing me in, his own need reflected in the urgency of his touch. When his hands slide lower, finding the hem of my shirt, his fingertips graze my skin, and I shudder. He slides the material upward, exposing me, his touch gentle and reverent.
I feel as though I’m on fire, burning from the inside out.
As if in a trance, he pushes me gently, and I fall onto the padded bench, the leather creaking under our weight. With a low growl, his lips meet mine again, kissing me fiercely as his hands tug at the buckle of his belt.
I pull him close, wanting, needing, to feel him, to taste him, to be closer than I’ve ever been. I pull his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor. The sight of him: the broad shoulders, the sculpted muscles, the smooth skin, is enough to drive me mad with desire.
His tongue brushes against the sensitive spot on the underside of my jaw, and I shiver, heat pooling low in my stomach.
“Thaldiran,” I moan, feeling the warmth of his lips as he trails a path from my jaw to my collarbone, and lower still. His tongue leaves a trail of heat on my skin, and his hands are everywhere, his touch like a brand.
“I want you,” he whispers, his breath hot.
“Then have me,” I murmur, my own desire getting the better of me.
His response is a passionate growl, his mouth claiming mine in a searing kiss. The next moment, he’s tugging off my pants, and I’m pulling at his, until we’re both naked. His erection presses into my leg, and as he slides his fingers between my legs my core clenches with need. His thumb finds the bundle of nerves, sending electricity shooting through my veins, and my breath hitches as his touch becomes more insistent. He fingers the erotic nub with one hand, while the fingers of his other hand slip, one by one, inside my wet folds. His fingers move in and out, slowly, while my hips thrust to him, begging for him to go deeper. He lowers his mouth to my core and gently sucks on my clit, still moving his fingers inside me, finding nerve endings I never knew existed deep inside me. Suddenly my mind goes blank and I see stars as he brings me to a thundering climax.
When my moans diminish, he moves, settling himself between my thighs. The anticipation is almost unbearable. I tilt my hips, pressing into him, my body aching for the satisfaction only he can bring. He obliges, and I let out a deep groan as he slowly slides his cock into me, his length buried deep.
“Ah, stars, Thaldiran,” I cry, wrapping my legs around his waist, desperate to feel him moving within me.
His body is rigid, taut with need, as his pace quickens. I dig my nails into his back, feeling the strength of his arms, the lean muscle covering his body. He emits a low growl and his breathing is ragged, while my heart hammers in my chest.
His teeth bite into my shoulder, and I nearly explode, the sharp sting of his bite causing my body to tremble. My walls grip him, and he thrusts, hard and fast, his body coiled and tense.
“Yes,” I urge him, panting, begging him to fuck me harder, faster.
“Fuck,” he moans, his muscles flexing as he falls into me.
“Thaldiran,” I cry, the pleasure too intense.
He lets out a low growl, his eyes flashing, and suddenly, the world is spinning, and my back is pressed against the wall as Thaldiran shifts our position. He grips me by the hips, lifting me as his cock pulsates and we climax together. Our bodies are slick, and I wrap my legs around him, clinging to him for dear life.
Afterwards, he holds me tight, whispering sweet nothings into the crook of my neck.
“I love you, Thaldiran,” I murmur.
He pauses, and when he speaks, his voice is a soft murmur. “And I love you, Astryl. More than you can imagine.”
Chapter Sixteen
Thaldiran
The ground shakes as we march towards my brother Elandir’s castle, our army of fae warriors ready to fight and his own Shade Wolf following, now a loyal companion to Astryl and me. The sky above is a swirling mass of dark clouds, a fitting backdrop for the confrontation that awaits us. Astryl flies overhead, her dragon form casting a comforting shadow over the battlefield.
“Stay close,” I command, my voice carrying over the sounds of marching feet. Elira and Joran flank me with the others just behind them.
“We’re with you, Thaldiran,” Elira assures me, her eyes sharp and focused. “For Veridale.”
Joran nods, gripping his sword tightly. “For Veridale.”
As we approach the castle gates, they swing open with an ominous creak, revealing Elandir and his army of wraiths. My brother stands at the forefront, his eyes cold and calculating.
“So, you’ve come,” Elandir sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. “I must admit, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“We’re here to stop you, Elandir,” I declare, my hand tightening around the hilt of my sword. “Your ambition ends today.”
“You can’t win, Thaldiran. Darkness is all-consuming; that is its nature. It feeds on chaos and death, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.”
