Aras pulled back to watch the bottle get corked by the water and then swept back to the table. “You are amazing with that magic.” He frowned. “But why didn't they fight back with it? They're Dragons too. Don't they have Water Magic?”
“They haven't trained with it as I have.” I smirked as I reached between us to coat his already slick shaft in oil. The extra lubrication would enhance all those delightful sensations.
Groaning, his head falling back, Aras stopped talking about betrayal and violence. When I moved atop him, he jerked upright against me, his arms wrapping around my waist so that we sat facing each other. With my legs stretched out behind him, I couldn't move vigorously upon him, but I didn't feel the urge to. I enjoyed sliding down his shaft to seat myself and just rock back and forth, feeling Aras move gently in my channel, stroking all those wondrous spots with his ultra-oiled cock. So slippery.
Aras moaned and shifted beneath me, undulating into my motions as his embrace loosened. His hands went to the globes of my ass to squeeze and pull them apart. In that luxurious way, we made love—stares locked and breath mingling. The rapture threatened to pull me higher, but love eased me back down, needing to verify that connection before we made the journey to the top.
“Ly,” Aras murmured and bent to lick my nipples.
I arched back, hands gripping his broad shoulders, and pushed into his mouth. The slide of his furred tail tickled my ass.It moved up to caress my face, and I turned toward it as I closed my eyes. The sensations of fur and flesh combined in that visual void and magnified.
I could never give this man up. If Aras left me, I would die. The thought made me panic at first, but then something released inside me, and I accepted it. I knew that death would be preferable to living without Aras. But I wouldn't lie down and die without a fight. I would do everything in my power to keep him.
Unfortunately, attaining the Eye was part of that. I wouldn't be able to protect Aras without it. I wouldn't be able to keep my kingdom and give him the life he deserved.
This left me in a precarious position. I had to keep lying to Aras. Lying. Ly. How appropriate that nickname was. I was a liar. To my mate. But it was the only way to protect him and my crown. My family too. They would suffer if—
“Lyrandir!” Aras shouted and jerked against me.
The hot rush of liquid inside me swept me away and lashed me against the rocks of relief. My climax bombarded me with such powerful rapture, so sudden and surprising, that I trembled with it. My body went into spasm. I must have looked ridiculous, shaking atop my mate, but I didn't care. I clung to Aras as we erupted together, and all thoughts of anything but him fled my mind.
Until a few minutes later, as I lay with my mate in my arms. That's when I remembered where my thoughts had been heading. They shouldn't have gone there during lovemaking. But it had been a traumatic day, and the mind wandered at will.
“Fuck!” I growled as I sat up.
“What is it?” Aras asked.
“My family.” I looked at him. “They'll be in danger now.” I shot out of bed. “I don't know how much time they have. When the nobles see what I've done to their sons, they will go after the ones I love in revenge.”
“Oh, fuck me,” Aras whispered. “I didn't think of that.” He jumped out of bed and got dressed.
“I don't know how long I'll be gone,” I said. “I'll fly to—”
“Hey!” Aras grabbed my arm. “You aren't going anywhere without me.”
I didn't try to argue this time, just nodded and pulled him into an embrace for a quick kiss.
Chapter Fourteen
It was the worst time to be leaving the crown city. But with the exodus of my Dragon knights, I was the only Dragon left in Renris. I hoped. I informed my new knights on duty, then woke Mossemas to tell him I was leaving.
His face went into spasms. “But Your Majesty, it's the middle of the night.”
“It's nearly morning, and that doesn't bode well for my family,” I said.
“I understand, Sire, but what about your kingdom?”
“Do you think I put my kingdom above those I love?” I snarled.
Mossemas drew back, his eyes wide.
“Dear Goddess,” I murmured. “You do. Am I that fearsome? That cold?”
“No, Your Majesty, of course not. I just—”
I lifted a brow at him.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
