“What?” How could he not agree with me? It was the best, the only choice to be made back then.
Wyn held my face in between his palms. “I wish you’d told me, Monqilcolnen. We would’ve been together for cycles. Perhaps this was the best timing in the end, but I truly don’t believe it would’ve been as horrible as you made it out to be.”
“I never said we would've been horrible. Nothing with you could ever be horrible.”
He brushed a thumb over my cheek. “I also don’t think your inner fire was telling you to wait for my sake.”
My forehead furrowed. Why else would I have been forced to wait?
“I think it was protecting you,” Wyn said. “I would have chosen you back then, three cycles ago, or even when I returned here. All you had to do was tell me, and I would’ve been right besideyou, curious and seeking if we matched. You only ever started to move toward me when you had some encouragement from me. I think your inner fire was protecting you until you were ready. Until you were sure of me. Not the other way around.”
I shook my head, but my voice refused to cooperate.
“That’s not bad,” Wyn whispered. “I just wish the past could be changed, but it cannot. I will say, though, I am glad we’re together now.”
My throat was thick with something that refused to be named. I simply held my arms out, and Wyn stepped into my embrace, allowing me to hold him firmly against my chest.
Chapter 40
Time is sometimes all you need.
We decided to not leave my quarters, and instead, we remained cuddled on the bed. No fucking. No kissing. Just merely holding each other, connecting in a way I truly needed. I rested my forehead against Wyn, wanting to spread my scent all over him instead of only basking in the light floral perfume that filled my every breath.
Wyn dragged his hand down my chest, his scales stark against the black of my shirt. He kissed my arm, then tucked his face against me. “You wore long earrings.”
I breathed a chuckle, embarrassed. “You said it would look good.”
He shifted, putting his weight on his elbow, and ran his eyes over me, lingering on the long gold earrings that ended in blue stones the same shade as his eyes. I’d bought them right after Wyn had told me he would like to see me in long earrings.
His finger traced the outside of my tapered ear, and I shuddered from the light touch. Wyn whispered, head ducking, “I like it. A great deal.”
“I shall wear them often for you, if you like.”
With another kiss against my arm, Wyn settled back against my side. “I would.”
“Then I will.” My hand slid up and down his back, careful not to put too much pressure on his trapped wing. “Do you want to let your wings out, Peace?”
Wyn sat up and pulled off his shirt, and I swallowed. He was so lovely. My eyes lingered on the leather bands going over his light purple scales. I liked the look of them a lot, for some reason. All I could think about was him roughly riding me with his hand on my throat, wearing a leather harness—a hardness opposite to his softness.
He unhooked it and tossed it onto my floor with a level of comfort that made me smile. Wyn was definitely getting more and more comfortable in my presence and in my quarters, which I absolutely adored. Not bothering to put back on his shirt, he snuggled close.
“I thought you didn’t like snuggling?” I teased.
Wyn nipped me. I grunted from the sharpness of his teeth. He bathed the same spot, and I moaned, adoring him taking care of me.
“I didn’t like many things before you.”
I smirked, and Wyn rolled his eyes. I smoothed my hand over him, rubbing circles on the sensitive part between his wings.
“Have you thought of an endearment for me?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
As if he heard something in my tone, Wyn leaned up again to meet my gaze. “Why is it so important to you?”
I could brush his question off, but instead, I opted for honesty. “I wish to have you call me something special. I have no endearments, and I want one from you the most.”
His thumb brushed my chin before tracing my bottom lip. I bit the digit, and Wyn moaned. I licked it to soothe any pain away, much like he had me.
“I know what I wish to call you, but I don’t know if you will care for it.”
