Lachlan stilled before he shot up and crouched in front of her, a growl rumbling through his chest. His gaze connected with mine, and he relaxed. “Thorn.” Standing up, he turned around and helped Wren to her feet. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“You guys run really fast,” Kian wheezed as he broke out of the forest and slowed to a jog. His gaze found mine, and he began rambling. “Oh, hey, Thorn. We were playing tag, but Lachlan said I couldn’t use my magic, which meant I had a zero chance of catching her. But that’s fine. Hearing her laugh is the best thing in the world, right? By the way, how was the fae realm? Lachlan told me you’d been going there a lot lately. Is everything okay?”
“Her laughter is a gift from the Fates,” I agreed as I walked toward my mate. “Things in my kingdom are not okay, but they could be worse.”
Her lips curved into a smile before she pounced forward into my chest and wrapped her arms around me. Love fluttered through the bond, and I sent it back, making her hum with contentment. “I’ve missed you,” she murmured.
“I know, Kit. I miss you every second I’m not around.” I stroked her hair. “My father is still being difficult.”
She angled her head up to stare into my eyes. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Yes, we will.” I smiled at her, bent down, and pressed my lips softly against hers.
The softness of her lips made me groan, and her hands glided from around my waist, up my chest, and through my hair. She pressed her body against mine, and I gripped her hips, holding her close. My tongue swept over the seam of her lips, and she parted them. Our tongues tangled, and she let out a whimper. Desire and need pulsed through the bond from both of us, and her body heated with the intensity of our kisses.
I expelled my ice magic, letting it glide over her skin, and I focused the magic on her chest. I swallowed a louder moan from her, and her back arched. Her nipples were sensitive, and the reactions I got from her were always exquisite.
“Should we go?” Kian asked in a hushed tone. “Or should we tell them to go somewhere else? I think a few people are watching.”
“Fuck, dude,I’mwatching,” Lachlan said.
“Lachlan!”
“What? Have you not seen how beautiful she is when she’s getting pleasured? It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever witnessed.”
Wren’s body stiffened, and I broke the kiss, resting my forehead on hers. “Sorry, Kit, but I need you.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she breathed, her lips swollen. “I need you too.”
“You know, we would’ve been able to kiss if we weren’t interrupted,” Lachlan grumbled, forcing a hand through his shaggy brown hair.
I pulled back, and Wren’s cheeks flushed. “And here I thought you were just welcoming me back with my mate.”
He frowned, staring out toward the forest. “I’m glad you’re back, but I also really wanted to kiss her. Watching you two only adds to that.”
Wren bit her lip as she glanced over at him.I wanted to kiss you too,she thought.
I chuckled. “Why don’t you kiss now then?”
Redness crept up her neck as she snapped her head toward me, and Lachlan followed suit. “We can’t!” they said simultaneously.
Kian puffed a laugh, wrapping his arms around himself. “It’s nice to know I’m not the only shy one.”
“I’m not shy. I just want the moment to be perfect.” Lachlan’s gaze shifted to our mate.
“Exactly! Anyway”—she cleared her throat and toyed with the ends of her hair—”I can always go with you and help explain everything to your parents, if it’ll help.”
My heart swelled, and I brushed my fingers over her cheek. “Thank you, but it’s too dangerous to bring you there when there’s war happening in both worlds.”
“I’ll be safe as long as I’m with you.” Determination glowed in her eyes, and a teasing smile pulled at my lips.
“You’re always safe with me, Kit.” I dropped to my knees in front of her and reached out to pull her close.
“I know. That’s why you shouldn’t have a problem with me accompanying you.” She wrapped her arms around my head and buried my face in her chest as she ran her hands through my hair.
“I’ll let you go if you form another contract with me,” I teased. “Maybe this time, I’ll make the contents more… intimate.”
She stilled, and her body heated. “How could you make it more intimate than before?”
