He pressed her flat on her back, her head sinking into the soft pillow behind her as he kissed her with a smoldering heat that threatened to consume her. “If only I could let my anger win against my desire. But, that is not what I want. I want to be your flame. I want you to burn for me and only me.”
“Then consume me, Ry,” Morgan rasped. Her words seemed to spark something feral in him, the permission he’d been waiting for.
He positioned himself between her legs, the tip of his broad length against her entrance as he entered her slowly, working himself in and out as her inner muscles burned and stretched around his cock. His length slicked out of her, nearly leaving her empty and writhing for him to come back before he drove into her again, this time hard and fast. He looked at her with claiming determination.
“You’re mine, pet. Don’t doubt it.” His voice was rough and his face was agonizingly beautiful with desire.
“That’s all I want.” The words escaped her lips and he smiled at her like she’d given him a precious gift.
Over and over, he set a rhythm that made Morgan cling to him, dragging her nails across his back and pulling him closer to her.
The heat of his body against hers was so intense, she thought she might combust from it. His skin faintly glowed as his essence escaped him in his pleasure. She let her shadows pool out of her and wrap around him, bringing his face to hers. She kissed him in a crushing embrace, her tongue sliding in and out of his mouth to the beat of his thrusts. Her inner muscles began pulsing with the need to reach her release.
Rylo reached between them, stroking her throbbing clit as he growled into her ear, “Come for me, Kingslayer.”
Morgan cascaded into her release, and Rylo followed, growling out her name as they were both consumed by the flame that had been fanned into a firestorm between them. The heat of his release filled her quivering inner muscles and she let her shadows wrap around them, plunging them into darkness.
Rylo’s forehead pressed against hers as they slowly came down from their climax. He pushed her sweat-soaked hair from her face and slid out of her, the slickness of their release sticking to her inner thigh. Rylo turned her onto her side as he stared back at her.
The mask he wore so often was gone, and Rylo’s expression looked soft and sated. Morgan traced the pointed tip of his fae ears before tracing her fingers down his jawline to his beating heart. She pressed her hand against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers.
“This damn heart beats only for you, pet. I tried to stop it from happening, but I am yours,” Rylo said dryly.
Morgan quirked a smile at him and wrapped her leg across his hip. “This didn’t relieve you of your need for me?”
She felt him growing hard again—so soon—against her inner thigh.
“No, Morgan, as I said, my need for you is a lifetime affliction.” He pulled her on top of him, letting her enjoy every inch of his gorgeous body at her own leisurely pace.
She stayed with him that night, as they explored each other's bodies and drifted into sleep, only to repeat the process again and again. By the time Morgan slipped out of his room, drum beats had begun to sound across Nephel.
War was upon them.
Chapter 51
Savine
Savine had run out of time, and yet he still hadn’t sent Selene with word on his decision. Today, he’d have to let Nephel know if help was on the way or not. There was no other option. Before he made his decision, he needed to hear an updated report from the trees. He’d been in the forest, seeking information from the trees more than he had in years. Not since the early years of the civil war. Even now, he didn’t know what the right decision was. Either way, his folk could be hurt.
“What more information can they provide?” Garnel asked. “We know the Goldoth warriors are marching swiftly. We’vealready lost the opportunity to cut them off at the Wastewaters. In a few short days, they will be at the Towers.”
“I need to know if there’s any evidence that they will attack us this winter. If war is to come, perhaps more preparations are necessary. Alternatively, if there is a reason to believe they are seeking Avery then I will stop at nothing to keep them from our borders, and will do all that I can to keep her safe in Orofine.”
Savine turned from Garnel and rested his gloved hand against a giant cedar.
“I am seeking updates on the Goldoth military. What rumors circulate on their location? Do they pose a certain threat to Latiah?”
The tree shook its boughs down, one brushed against the gilded bough of his crown. A clear move to put Savine in his place. He knew the trees were growing weary of his many daily requests. But he was desperate for clarity. Nearly twenty-six years ago, Savine had no choice but to put his nation on the path to war.
The thousands of folk affected by that decision still haunted him. He could never make the same rushed choices again.
After he requested information, he turned from the tree and walked to find Garnel. By now he knew the information he requested would take hours to reach him. His friend was already splayed out in the hot springs water, eyes closed, yet he must have sensed Savine’s presence as he said, “Do you remember when we were boys and would sneak from the Residence to swim?”
Savine glanced toward the clearing with the agate headstone, not far from the pool. “Of course I do.”
“I long for those simpler days.”
Savine nodded and joined Garnel in the water. This was as good of a place as any to wait for the tree's response, and he would see the rustling of the branches. Garnel’s soul had beenheavy lately, and he needed to give his closest friend time. Even with the burden of war weighing down on him, he’d make time for Garnel. It was something he regretted never doing during the last war. Changing his habits was hard. Opening up, sharing when he needed support didn’t come naturally to him. If he was being honest, neither was listening to his friend’s worries.
