He slams into me, the veins beneath his muscles bulging. He breathes hard, like he’s having a hard time controlling himself. Perhaps because he is. So am I.
With every rub, every slide, every stroke, I feel like I’m lifting higher and higher. I feel like we could touch the moon, the stars, and whatever else stands between us and the Crystal Realm. I’m drowning in pure bliss and pleasure, and nothing outside of us matters.
“Come for me, Zaira.”
Oh gods.
His voice.
It does something to me. The way he watches me does something to me. Everything about him does something to me. He doesn’t stop, not even when I clutch his forearm and throw my head back to cry out.
“Oh, shadows.” My hips buck to match the rhythm of his as I fall over the edge.
He groans with deep pleasure. “How beautiful it is to finally feel you come around me.”
Slowly, the magical rubbing fades. As it does, he lowers himself so we’re chest to chest. Then he crushes his lips to mine. This kiss is tender, passionate, and sweet as he strokes into me slowly. I can’t understand how a person so lethal can also be so gentle—so careful and satisfying.
I clench around him. He groans, delighted to feel it, then tears his mouth away so he can pull his hips backward. With a sharp hiss through his teeth, he pulls out of me.
“Oh, fuck.” He swiftly pumps himself before coming on my pelvis. “Damn, sweet one.” When he’s done, he sighs. I miss the feel of him already.
Planting his hands on either side of my head again, he hovers his face above mine, and our eyes connect. A brief moment of silence passes between us as we catch our breaths.
“You keep blowing my mind, mortal,” he murmurs in a playful tone.
I sigh happily as his lips drag over mine.
He kisses me once. Twice. Both are ever so sweet.
I want him to take me all over again.
He watches my face, searches it like he always does. It’s like I’m a book he’s constantly reading—like he’s hoping to figure out the plot twist before reaching the last page. But there are no twists. He just saw all of me. There is nothing to hide.
If only it were the same for him.
The skin between his eyebrows wrinkles, and he opens his mouth like he’s going to say something but closes it just as quickly. Before I can blink, he’s off the bed and heading to the room where the bath is. When he returns, he has a thin towel in his hand. I sit up, and he uses it to wipe me clean.
Once he’s done, I put my nightgown on again, then lie back down, staring at the ceiling. Thane does, too, while releasing a heavy sigh.
I look at him. He’s already watching me. His face is much more relaxed than it was before, but he still looks like he wants to say something.Revealsomething. Instead of pestering him about what might be on his mind and ruining the moment, I slide closer and rest my head on his chest.
His whole body stiffens.
This is clearly a new thing for him, but I don’t care. It feels necessary right now. I want him close. I inhale his scent as I hug him sideways. Slowly, his body gives into the hug, and he wraps his arm around me. He’s warm and comforting…or perhaps I’ve been so lonely lately that I’m willing to accept any kind of embrace.
I sigh, way more content than I should be. I can’t help it, really. It’s odd, but I feelsafein his arms. Safe…with a damn outlawed shadow assassin. I could blame my feelings on some kind of mysterious spell he’s cast, but then I’d be lying to myself. What I’m feeling for him is real—has been for days. I can no longer deny it.
As I drift off to sleep, I think I hear him say,“Mea trelanak.”
I don’t know much Thelasian; however, I studied the basics, and I remember those words very well.
I’m sorry.
Chapter 41
I startle awake when I hear a few thumps and clatters and sit up in bed.
Everything appears normal in the room, yet I feel a sense of foreboding come over me…like something bad is going to happen. Perhaps the feeling is warranted. The Shallows aren’t too far away, and there are unspeakable horrors on that island that await us.
