Kaede
Kaede was at the razor-sharp edge of his control. Every instinct he had screamed for him to take her and make her his. All it would take was just one brush of his cock between her folds for him to lose control. The mere memory tempted him to cross that line once more—though this time, he would claim her as his.
After spending many years searching for her and protecting her, holding her in his arms was a dream from which he feared waking. Her very presence tempted him. The call to mate was like fire in his veins, demanding that he take her in a frenzy of lust. He couldn’t allow himself to give in to his mating cycle and risk ruining his chance to be with her.
No matter how easy it would be to give in to his fantasies and desires, Kaede refused to allow them to override his logic. Selena was too vulnerable and required comfort. He didn’t want to take advantage of her in her time of need. No, he needed to be strong and shelter her from all the shadows that lurked in his mind.
While his sisters had always supported him, Selena had had no one until the Stars led theDestinyto her. Since then, she’d had the support and guidance of her mates.
He was horrified of the monster he could become once he lapsed into his mating heat. His constantly swollenBahzylvenom sacs that dripped from the roof of his mouth were clear evidence of how mad he could become.
His monstrous body could produce three different venoms. One could deliver an instant and painful death. Another could immobilize and numb the body, leaving his victim aware of their surroundings but unable to act. The third was the one he feared most, a highly potent aphrodisiac.
What if he lost control of his body and gave herLuzatu, making her a slave to his needs? All he needed would be to inject her with hisBahzyland use her body until his burning desires were no more. Only, he would never forgive himself for behaving so selfishly. She needed his help to pull herself together and protect her, not use her and take advantage of her to sate his mating heat.
Returning her to their clan should be his topmost priority, not trying to ease the fire that burned in his veins.
Selena had been on her own for the first time since she had escaped. She had to depend on only herself to survive.
He knew if he told her the fine details of her mates’ condition, she would crumble. This moment demonstrated how fragile she was. She needed him to be her support—and he would be just that.
Selena was his obsession.
His addiction.
His gift from the Fates to cherish, love, and hold.
The Stars had led him to her multiple times so he could be her shield against the evils in the universe. Only now, the fire of his mating lust threatened to turn him into the very evil that he sought to protect her against.
Kaede was willing to make sacrifices to be a rock for her to lean on. He would gladly take on her burdens to make sure she could thrive and become the queen hidden beneath all her unfounded doubts and insecurities.
Staring deeply into her eyes, he hoped she would forgive him for failing to protect her from all danger.
“Kaede,” Selena breathed, wrapping her arms around him as she returned his stare. “Can you hold me until I fall asleep?”
Kaede stilled. His hands gripped her hips as he lost himself in the depths of her gaze. He tried to process the weight of Selena’s words as they echoed in his mind.
Somehow, she wanted to be near him regardless of the risks.
“Do you believe that is wise?” He swallowed the lump that had formed at the base of his throat. “I can sleep in my commander’s chair as I have done.”
“Kaede, I refuse to let you back away from me—from us. Not now.” Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his. Before he could deepen their kiss, she pulled away just enough for her mouth to hover above his. “It’s too late for second-guessing or hesitation. You are now mine, as I am yours.” Slowly opening her eyes, she nipped at his bottom lip and smiled. “I don’t need to mark your neck to know I wear your brand on my heart. We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want—”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, Selena,” Kaede growled, squeezing her sides even tighter. “I don’t want to hurt you again, accidentally.”
“You are stronger than you think, Kaede.” She leaned into him, pressing her lips against his once more.
The hot water that beat against their skin felt like the Stars cleansing their heartache. The rolling steam that surrounded them seemed to teleport them to another world, away from all their stress and responsibilities.
Time slowed to a stop as Kaede held the only female he had ever wanted in his hands. He allowed her to take the lead, to use him to sate her needs.
Selena groaned as she pushed closer until his back hit the wall. Her hands found his face, clasping it as her tongue speared his mouth.
Kaede’s eyes rolled back as pure passion coursed through him. Growling, he wrapped his tongue around hers, claiming the invader as his for the taking.
Selena moaned as she moved against him, her hard nipples pressing into his chest. His length was a hard bar between them, making it impossible to think straight.
It would be so easy to…
