“No, wait,” I said.
“Sorry, my foundling, but you can't keep up with the drums.” Raven surged up and over me, taking me onto my back.
My wings splayed out to the sides, knocking pillows off the bed, and my legs went to Raven's shoulders. Ass off the mattress, I was bent in two with my mate's momentum. He braced himself on the bed to either side of me, turned his head to kiss my knee, and then pumped into me.
The Dragon King's cock went deeper and deeper, rubbing against the most pleasurable spot that sent zings through me. I moaned and panted, the internal stroking taking me higher. As I clung to my mate's arms and opened to his claiming, the drumming continued to increase in speed. And His Majesty kept pace.
Hips driving forward, Raven thrust faster and faster, his sacs swinging against my body with every slam. His expression went wild, and I cupped his cheek, wanting more than this.
Sensing my need, Raven focused on me and smiled. “I love you, my foundling.”
“I love you, my Dragon King.”
And with that, Raven locked up against me. As he filled me with love, I came in a sparkling rush. Within the ecstasy, I saw our future. I would help Raven keep watch over Tabaa, ensuring that no one slipped past his notice again. Together, we would keep the kingdom safe. Together, we would fill the future with love.
Chapter Forty-One
After our breaths and heartbeats slowed, my mate drew me up into a seated position against the pillows. With a secret smile, he reached over the mattress and grabbed a leather pouch from the floor. Curious, I watched him open the pouch and bring out our story-knots. He looked up, met my gaze, and we shared a smile.
“This will be our first twin knot.” Raven handed me my story-knot. “Our first important life event shared.”
“But shouldn't that be our mating?” I tapped the knot he had helped me make during the night we shared our stories in the Burning Lands.
His smile faded. “That should have been our first twin knot, but the experience was very different for each of us.” He tapped a knot on his length. “Mine, unfortunately, was more joyous than yours.”
I chewed my lip. “It wasn't what I hoped for, but it was what I needed.”
“How so?”
“It was the last hurdle over the obstacles Bara left in my mind. Only when I thought I had lost you could I see that you were all I needed.”
The King's smile returned. “You're right. It was difficult, but necessary because it brought us here.” He leaned over to brush his lips over mine. “And here is where we make identical knots for sharing the same experience.”
“Not exactly the same.”
“The important parts are, and those are what we weave into our knots.” He made the first twisting loop. “The gathering of the Tabaa Dread.”
I copied his motions.
“Adorning ourselves for the presentation and each other, hearts hopeful.” He moved the leather cords into a spiraling bud. “The acceptance of the Dread.” The cords looped together like bound arms. “Our union, joyful and rapturous. Love taking us into the firmament.”
As he twisted the cords, I gaped at him.
He paused. “What is it?”
“You saw that too? The stars? Our souls bound?”
Raven smiled. “Of course.”
“Was it real?”
He shrugged. “It was real for us. Did we actually leave our bodies and fly to the stars? I don't know. Maybe it was the mating magic, showing us imagery of how sacred our love is. Or maybe we really did leave the world and journey together.”
“We'll have to do it again and pay more attention.” I grinned.
The Dragon King chuckled. “Indeed. Over and over until we're certain.” He cupped my cheek and kissed me. “Whether it was a vision or reality, I don't care. You took me to the stars, my foundling.”
“We went together.” I curled my wing around him more firmly. “Now show me the rest.”
