I chuckled and shifted back again to pump onto him slowly. In answer, I began to sing. The lyrics heightened my pleasure, weaving another type of magic around us. I found myself rolling onto him, back arching and voice lifting. My hands lifted to slide through my hair as I arched back to look up through the tree canopy at the sky. The song was rare, more intimate than touch. It was only offered to those we knew we would love and trust forever. The Lelurra marriage song.
I give you my voice,I sang.
Not to hold, not to keep.
I give it to you to hear my heart,
and let me into yours.
Take me into you.
Hold my song in your soul.
I give you my voice,
I give you my love,
I give you all of me.
Raven stared up at me, expression shifting from wonder to love to admiration and back again. His hands slid over my chest, fingertips brushing my throat as if he wanted to feel my words, not just hear them. I held his beautiful gaze, and when tears slid down his cheeks, my heart expanded to hold all he offered.
I sang and sang as I moved over him, driving us into an intoxicating slow-build of ecstasy that, when it crested, took us in its loving hands and turned us into something more than we were apart. My song hit an apex with my pleasure, and I archedback into Raven's strong hands. Warm palms against my back, he supported me as my release shot from me to lash his chest.
With the last of my song echoing through the woods, my mate rose and curled forward to roll me onto my back. Wings splayed over the damp moss, I wrapped my legs around Raven's waist and clutched his shoulders.
As if he'd been holding back until my climax, Raven suddenly went savage, pounding into my body. I opened to him in every way possible, taking his flesh, his love, and, finally, when he locked up against me and pumped his essence into me, his soul. I felt the tingle that was him sinking into me, and this time, I could appreciate it. Little by little, he was merging our beings, and I was shocked at how joyous it was.
This wasn't enslavement. It was freedom. Flying while still on the ground. Raven gave me love, trust, and utter honesty. He gave me himself. And it wasn't a temporary gift. This was mine to keep. We were forever.
This time, when the Dragon King pulled free of my body and rose to his feet to cover me in essence, I spread my arms, legs, and wings, welcoming every drop. I closed my eyes and basked in it. I took his gift for what it was.
And with Raven's claiming, Bara was banished at last.
Chapter Twenty-Five
By the time Raven carried me out of the forest—me dressed and him still naked—I was utterly his. Without regret or fear. Because he was mine in return. My body and being vibrated with his soul, and though I was tired, I looked forward to our next round of mating.
The Dragon King's knights, who'd guarded us through the night, moved in line with us, keeping the perimeter until we met in Nahel's camp. Although Raven was sated, they kept their distance, moving beyond a border of carriages and wagons that now circled the camp. It looked as if our human drivers had caught up with us. And the camp had been reassembled—tents back in place. Showing no surprise over this, Raven carried me to the largest tent.
I winced, thinking it was Nahel's, but it was only the canvas exterior. The inside had been gutted, and anything with the Okon's scent on it removed. Only the rugs remained to cover the grass. Upon them were our pallets and a small camp table with iron dishes on it. My mate set me on my feet near the table.
“Aren't we leaving?” I asked.
Raven shook his head. “We need to stay here until our mating bond is settled. Then we can return to our hunt.” He satcross-legged on the rug before the table and motioned for me to sit. As I did, he lifted the lid on an iron pot. The scent of stew came forth.
My stomach rumbled.
The King laughed and dished out the stew. “I've been remiss in my duties, I see. Eat, Mate. I need to see you fed.” He unwrapped a stack of warm flat breads and put one beside my bowl. Then he poured two large mugs of water.
I gulped the water first.
“Go easy, or you'll sour your stomach.” Raven put a spoon beside my bowl. “Eat something.”
I smiled at his fussing and then took a bite. It was amazing. Although that could have been due to my hunger. We ate in silence but shared many loving looks and touched often. I could hear his people at work outside, but it was distant. They were still giving us space.
“Would you really attack your knights if they got too close to me?” I asked.
“I'd like to think I wouldn't.” Raven scowled. “But when the mating magic has me, my dragon is in control, and he will see other men as a threat until our bond is settled. Even after that, it will take me years to return to my pre-mated calm.”
