Mine.The declaration was hers, sent to him through the bond like a demand, a promise, a vow.
He loved hearing her moans and sighs, all her little sounds of pleasure while he drank from her. He loved how she clung to him, writhed for him. He simply loved . . .her.
With a sweep of his tongue he licked the twin punctures closed then rose onto his knees between her spread legs.
Selene was breathing hard, her bright blue eyes luminous with arousal.
“Mine.” She said it out loud now, a sexy rasp to her voice. Her gaze rooted on his mouth, on his fangs. “I want all of you, Darion. Your body. Your blood. Your bond.”
A wordless growl boiled out of his throat as she stroked his thighs. He was already hard as steel for her, his blood running molten in his veins.
With gazes locked, he brought his wrist to his mouth and bit down. He lowered his arm to her and she took it hungrily, not a moment’s hesitation. That was Selene. There was no fear or uncertainty in his bold mate. She was a woman who knew what she wanted, and he would gladly spend his lifetime making sure he left none of her cravings unsatisfied.
He watched her emotions play over her face as she drank from him. He savored the intensity of her pleasure . . . and her need.
He noticed how the tangles of blue veins in her arms were fading as she fed from him. Her skin was losing its paleness, no longer the translucent, milky shade but returning to its normal healthy color.
She was healing.
His blood was restoring her before his eyes.
He wanted to point out the miracle he was witnessing, but his body had other ideas.
Her soft mouth sucking at him with such greed and enjoyment ratcheted his arousal to the breaking point. He groaned, dropping his head back as he struggled for control.
“Fuck,” he grated out tightly. She was driving him wild with desire. Reaching down with his free hand, he caressed her soft cheek. “I have to be inside you.”
Reluctantly, he drew his wrist away from her mouth and quickly sealed the wounds with his tongue. Her lips were ruby-red and slick with his blood. When she licked them clean with her gaze rooted on his, it was almost more than he could take.
They undressed each other with urgent hands, desperate to ease the fire raging inside them for each other. Darion brought her to an explosive climax, then followed her over the cliff with his own staggering release.
Afterward, they made love again, this time with unhurried reverence. The rest of the world would wait. This moment between them was too sacred to rush.
They explored every inch of each other’s bodies with their hands, and lips, and tongues. They moved together, skin on skin, soul to soul. Their bond was a living thing between them, making every emotion overlap and entwine. When they finally gave in to their release, they came in unison, both rocked by the intensity of their connection.
Darion could have stayed inside her forever.
He would have, if not for the din of the busy palace below.
They showered and dressed, Selene in a pale aquamarine-colored gown, her long blonde hair in loose waves down her back, and Darion in a linen tunic and pants Selene had summoned for him from one of her attendants.
They walked downstairs hand-in-hand to join the rest of their friends and family that filled most of the chambers of the palace’s main floor.
Lucan and Gabrielle met them outside the open doors of the packed throne room. They, too, had their hands linked, as if they couldn’t bear to let go of each other for any reason. Warm smiles broke over both their faces as they greeted Darion and Selene.
Lucan rested a hand on Darion’s shoulder. “There you two are. People were starting to talk.”
“Let them,” Darion said, giving Selene a wry smirk. “My mate and I had other pressing matters that couldn’t be delayed.”
Gabrielle arched her brows at Lucan. “Evidently, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
He grinned, unrepentant. “We all have reasons to celebrate today,” he said, turning his luminous gaze to Selene and Darion. “First among them being the two of you. Congratulations on your blood bond. I don’t suppose anyone has to ask if you’re mated.”
Gabrielle beamed at Darion. “Your joy is written all over both of your faces. We couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thank you,” Selene said, smiling up at him. “Your son is a good man.”
“A fine leader as well,” Lucan said, his silver-ringed eyes solemn. “We all owe you a debt, Darion. The entire world owes you a debt, son. Thanks to you, there are no more wars left to fight. Opus is gone, the Ancient is dead, and the now the Breed and the Atlanteans are forged in a friendship that will never break. I’m damned proud of you, son.”
