I licked my lips as Vex stalked me, his stare locked on me and his body doing things that made me wonder what he hadn't shown me in bed. Obviously, he was capable of so much more. He twirled and did one of those undulations facing away from me. I suddenly remembered what we'd been about to do before I'd been summoned.
Damn him and his round, pert ass. I was getting hard. Right there, in front of his clan. Our clan. Whatever. Why were his leather pants so tight? They were practically another layer of skin over that luscious butt. At least it was dark and most people were looking at Vexen, not me. Still, I had to do a shift-and-tuck to get little Ember out of the spotlight.
Oh, fuck, he's coming closer.
The beat slowed, and so did Vexen's movements. He was right in front of me now, within touching distance. One hip dropped while the other raised. The tattoos on his chest rippled as his belly undulated forward. He straddled me, still standing, so that his crotch was at the level of my face. I didn't know what to do. The clan was cheering so loud that I couldn't hear anything else. I wanted to touch Vex, but he kept moving.
Then he held a hand down to me.
I took it immediately, and Vex yanked me to my feet. Slapping an arm around me, he pulled me into an embrace. Finally, I got to touch him, and I couldn't help sliding my hands over his bare, beautiful chest.
Vex grinned down at me and circled his hips subtly, rubbing his cock against my erection. “I see you enjoyed my dance.”
“I do have eyes,” I said.
He laughed, then lowered his head to kiss me. The cheering became deafening. “Hold on,” he whispered.
And then we were back in his bedroom, and I sighed in relief.
“Finally,” I said.
I expected Vex to take me to bed instantly or start kissing me, but instead, he yanked me into a hug. His hands pressed against my back—holding not stroking. I could feel his heart pounding fast beneath my cheek, but I figured it was because of all the dancing.
Then he said, “I was fucking terrified.”
“What?” I lifted my head. “When?”
“When?!” He gaped at me. “When?”
I processed all the clues then. Vexen's heart wasn't beating from lust or physical exertion. It was anxiety. Fear. Vex had to wait through dinner and dancing before he could reassure himself that I was all right. He'd been playing the role of a relaxed lover—the Chief's son, assured in his mate. But the entire time, probably from the instant I accepted the challenge, he'd been terrified.
I laid my hand on his heart. “Didn't you feel me through our bond?”
“Yes, I felt you. I reached for you throughout the fight. I was trying to give you my strength, but I couldn't. I guess I can't do that until I've bonded with the other men.” Vex leaned down. “Then I felt your fear. When Bale had you pinned. I thought you were going to die. You did too, didn't you, Ember?” His stare was sharp, ready to draw blood.
“Yes,” I admitted. “But I wasn't alone. Didn't you sense that too?”
“No. I was too focused on you. I had no idea the Elements were helping you.”
“And we were too focused on helping Ember to reassure you,” Air said. “My apologies.”
“Oh, now you speak up,” I grumbled. “I expected you to say something to the Chief and support our claims, but you didn't. Yet now, when we'd like some privacy, you're here.”
“Seriously, Sparky?” Fire snapped. “That's the welcome we get after saving your life?”
“Thank you for saving the life of my mate,” Vexen said gravely. “I didn't need assurance as much as I needed you with him. So, thank you.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. “Sorry. Yes, you're right. Thank you for helping me. I thought I had fucked up.”
“You did,” Earth said. “You shouldn't have let him pin you.”
“I didn'tlethim,” I grumbled. “He just did. And I did think I was going to die.” I met Vexen's stare. “I was scared. I thought I had failed you and the rest of the world. I shouldn't have risked it.”
“No, you shouldn't have,” Vex growled. Then he softened. “But I love you for it.” He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me.
I didn't care that the Elements were there. Fuck it. This was too sweet. Too romantic. Too Vexen to miss. Loveburned between us. Fucking exploded. Not lust. Love. Pure in its intentions. Steady in its devotion. It shivered over my arms as if coalescing in the air—a physical thing that fueled the line connecting us. Where there was only a thin thread between Ara and me, there was a thick chain linking me to Vex. Something strong enough to hold down a dragon.
And even that brief thought about Ara didn't dull the glow of the love between Vexen and me. I knew this love was giving me the strength to save Aranren and end the war. It wasn't just pure and glorious, it was also destined and invaluable to the planet. After all this time, I'd finally learned why it had to be me and why I had to unite wraith lords in love. Not for their power or mine. Not to save Ara. It was simply because only love can defeat death. It wasn't magic or an entity. Just an emotion. And yet, that emotion fueled the entire world. It brought babies in the spring and made the trees bear fruit. It warmed better than Fire, rose higher than Air, sustained greater than Water, and supported more firmly than Earth. Not even Spirit—the magic of the Goddess—could come close to love in power. Love would save Varr.
