“I never needed a fancy bed or even a locked door.” I took his hand and led him into the trees. “Just you.”
Raven tugged me to a stop. “No, this will take several more days, Mate. We can't do it here.”
“But we can alleviate some of your urgency, can't we?”
“That will take hours.”
“Then have your knights guard us.” I slid up against him, hands splayed on his chest, and gave him my most seductive look.
Groaning, he swept me up in his arms and called over his shoulder, “Form a perimeter! I must see to my mate!”
“Yes, sire!” the Dragon knights called back.
And then we were moving into the dark forest, the Dragon King's steps sure and arms tight around me. Raven's face came into sharp relief every time he stepped through a shaft of moonlight, his eyes glittering and oozing primal need. I stroked his face and chest, easing the beast inside him until he rumbled happily.
“You tore out my heart when you left,” Raven whispered. “I woke to find you gone, and I couldn't understand why. Then I tracked you, and I scented Nahel. I knew he hadn't been in our room. You had left willingly. I thought you had gone to Nahel.”
“No, Raven.” I kissed his cheek. “He caught me as I flew away.”
He nodded. “I know that now. But I wasn't in my right mind then. The mating urge makes us into animals.” With an angry huff, he said, “I'm furious with myself for scaring you—hurting you.”
“You didn't know.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. “Even I didn't expect that to happen. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. You were right about me not being ready.”
Raven trembled. “I can't stop now, my foundling. I will go mad if I don't finish the mating.”
“I know. I didn't mean to suggest that.” I leaned back to look at him. “I'm prepared now. It will be all right.”
The Dragon King stopped. “Tell me if I hurt you or if you feel scared. I'll be more aware now, but still, you must tell me.” He lowered me onto a mossy patch of ground.
“I will. But I don't think I'll be scared this time. I'm ready.”
Raven's head swung from side to side, his stare piercing the darkness. “They're in place.” He looked down at me. “They'll guard us as we settle the bond.”
Cupping his face in my hands, I said, “Make me yours, Raven. Erase him with your love and body and essence. Free me.”
“You don't need me to free you, Eliel. But I will banish that bastard from your mind.” With a low growl, he bent his head, his hair falling around us, and kissed me.
A whirlwind of pleasure took me then, surging through him to me and back. My mind spun with it. In the dark, my sight was diminished, but I could still see the love shining through him. It was in his eyes, but also his hands, his lips—his entire body made it clear that I was everything to him. And that silent declaration sent relief rushing through me. Because he was my everything too.
My clothes fell away until we were two naked, wild creatures, rolling upon the moss, limbs entwined and hearts united. Despite Raven's urgency, he didn't rush to slide inside me. Instead, he kissed me and moved against me, drawing it out. It was I who finally urged him to bring our bodies together.
The complete bliss of our first union was immediately surpassed. I rolled Raven onto his back and straddled him, my wings pumping to help me ride my mate. The feeling of him filling me became an internal brand, marking me forever. But there was more. So much more.
The Dragon King filled me with more than flesh. The bond between us flared to life, calling my mate to complete the spell. Within me was a piece of him. I felt it calling to him, bringing our souls together. Feeling that, I couldn't imagine how I had managed to leave him. Truth was within our bond. His truth and love for me. I had merely to look inside myself to find it.
“I feel you, Raven.” Slowing my pace to an erotic grind, I leaned forward onto Raven's chest to kiss him. “I wish I could give you a piece of my soul in return.”
“My sweet foundling.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “I don't need your soul to feel your love.”
“But I want to give you . . .” I trailed off. There was something I could give him.
“Eliel?”
I pushed upright and undulated against him. Raven groaned and gripped my hips. Lying beneath me, his long hair wild around his face, and his eyes full of magic, the King transformed from His Majesty into My Lover. He was just Raven here, and he was all mine.
My hand slid up his chest to stroke his face. “I may not be a Dragon who can give you his soul, but I can give you my voice.”
Raven went still. “What does that mean?”
