I want to return his words to make sure he knows that I feel the same, but my throat is so tapered I can barely levy air. What little of it I manage to reel in escapes as I lower my hips and he breaches my walls. I stop when I reach my fingers that are strangling his poor, throbbing cock. Fearing I’m hurting him, I spring them wide. I gasp then, because we’re both so slick that I’m in freefall. By the time Cathal realizes I don’t mean to sheath him inside of me so precipitously, I’ve slammed all the way down to his root.
“Sorry.Focá. Are you all right?”
I swallow, trying to gather my wits. He wasn’t jesting when he mentioned there might be a little discomfort.
“Príona?” His stomach muscles clench as he rolls up, changing the angle of his penetration. “Please say something.”
“I’m”—I claw at his shoulders as though I were part tendu instead of part Serpent—“fine.”
His lips twist. “Clearly.” He begins to lift me, but I push back down.
“I’m fine,” I all but growl.
“Tears are spilling out of your eyes. You’re notfine.”
“I am,” I grit out.
“It’ll feel better next time.”
“No.”
“It will.”
“I wasn’t saying no to how it will feel. I’m saying I want to stay on your cock until you get your release.”I want our bond to form.
“Because you think I could come knowing that I’m causing you pain?” He shakes his head, then thumbs my cheeks to clear away the dampness.
“At least try,” I croak.
“No. Not this morning.” He disengages himself from me but doesn’t lift me off his lap. Instead, he winds his arms around me and holds me against him until the tears stop tripping past my lashes.
Stupid tears.
If only I hadn’t wept like some injured creature.
If only he could’ve come immediately.
If only we could’ve known…
Chapter 58
Zendaya
Igo for a swim in scales after our disastrous attempt at lovemaking. Cathal flies overhead as I muscle through the Amkhuti, past clouds of shimmering minnows, past clumps of rainbow coral, past a white stick. Not a stick. A cane. I almost miss it for the coral it sits on is as white as bone.
I nudge the cane with my nose to jimmy it out and am about to carry it back to the surface when the current tumbles the body of a barracuda my way. The listless body. Imagining it scuffled with another fish, I inspect its flesh for teeth marks but find none. Perhaps it died of old age. Its seems rather small to be old, but like land creatures, not all sea creatures have the same shape or size. I let it be, knowing it will be nibbled on by others. The ocean only ever takes to give back. I cast one last look at the cane that now rests at an angle, bubbles springing from its hollow center. Such an odd design for a cane. Then again, the Nebbans had an odd boat.
I resume my lap. I’m almost back to my starting point when I spot green coils on the sand.Enzo?
His lids open at the sound of my voice.
Did you sleep down here all night?
I did. Too much noise next door.
Noise?
Agrippina and Reid. I can’t tell if they’re murdering each other or having a blast.
