“I would have been fine. We would have dug our way out eventually. They did a poor job of killing us.”
Tor'rien snorted. “I've shown you through my actions and spoken the words to you, yet you still don't understand.”
I lifted my head to look at him. “I don't understand what?”
“How much you mean to me.”
“You've loved other men before I'm sure.”
The King lifted his brows. “Are you telling or asking?”
I shrugged. “There is nothing in all of Serai that has not occurred before. No unique experiences. Love is common with those who accept it.”
“Those who accept it. Yes. But you said that love doesn't exist.”
“I am a man of intellect. I need proof. Experience. You have proven me wrong. I can accept and admit that. But if I was wrong about love, then it means that it happens constantly. Nothing special about it. No matter how it feels.”
The King burst out laughing.
I frowned at him.
“Even in love, you're an ass about love.”
I frowned deeper.
“Nothing special?” The King's expression went tender. “How can you say that?”
“It's a fact. This is not a singular event.”
“But it is. Itis, Tekhan. You and I are special. What we have is special. We are a singular event.” He cupped my cheek with his hand. “My fear for you proves that.”
“I fail to see how.”
“Because it's evidence of how deeply I love you. I knew that if you died, there would be no one else. No one would come close to touching my heart the way you have. I will never love another as I love you. That makes our love unique. Rare, not common.”
I considered this. My theory on the nonexistence of love had already been dismissed. Now, the King presented something new. Something beyond what I had learned was possible. It didn't make sense. If I was so special, wouldn't his magic recognize me? No, it was more likely that Tor'rien was caught up in the excitement of the case and he feared losing me because of the pleasure we attained together. Simple.
I shook my head. “I think you're attributing more to this than there is.”
“Dear Gods,” he muttered. “You are so frustrating.”
“How so? I've admitted I was wrong. I think that proves that I'm willing to see things from another perspective, but I won't lie to you and tell you I agree when I don't.”
“Will you at least tell me you love me again?”
“Without reservation. Yes. I love you. I previously would have labeled my feelings as the effects of pleasure and the need for companionship, but I have had many relationships that provide those things and have never felt this way. You are the first for me, Tor'rien. In that, you are special. But only for me, and I cannot say for certain that I will never love again. Judging by other romances, it is more likely that we will end our relationship and move on. And since I can now recognize these . . . feelings . . .” I trailed off when I realized that Tor'rien was glaring at me in a very violent way. Not at all like himself.
“Do not ever speak of loving someone else to me again!” Tor'rien grabbed me by the front of my shirt and hauled me into a kiss.
Everything happened quickly after that. I was suddenly bent over the bench with my trousers and undershorts aroundmy knees. A moment later, the King was inside me, shoving savagely until my body opened for him. I was so shocked that all I could do was cling to the cushions. When I finally risked a look over my shoulder, I found Tor'rien pumping wildly, his teeth bared, and his hands gripping my hips like claws.
He shoved at my coat and shirt. “Take them off!”
Flopping from his thrusts and absolutely flummoxed, I floundered for my coat. I was so focused on removing the clothes from my upper body that I didn't realize how much pleasure the Dragon King was pumping into me. This was our celebration, and it was incredible. I didn't care what compelled him to make such a primal display. I'd take it. I'd take it all.
Free of most of my clothing, I surrendered to the sensations of the silk cushions on my skin, the hard grip on my hips, and the King's cock in my channel. Tingles shot up my spine, my shaft wept and bobbed, and I cried out uncontrollably. It was the most wild, uninhibited fucking I'd ever had. I pushed back on the King, demanding more. I deserved it.
And then he came.
