He lifted his head, eyes wild with worry. “Did I hurt you?” His palm framed her face, hand shaking against her jaw. “Tell me, love—swear to me—because I’ll break if I did.”
“No…”
She exhaled softly, her smile blooming beneath his touch.
“Viktor, I didn’t know it could feel like that. You—”
Her laugh burst, half wonder, half disbelief.
Dask, she’s smiling. After all that—she’s smiling. Storms, I thought I’d shatter her. And now… now I can’t stop wanting her.
He caught that laugh with his mouth, kissing her slow, deep, tasting every breath she gave him.
“I love you,” he murmured against her lips, the words torn out of him like confession. “You’re mine, Amerei. Perfect. Mine.”
A low sound rumbled in his chest, and he dragged her closer until her body molded to his.
“Storm take me,” he breathed, his voice wrecked with awe. “You give me one taste, and I’m undone for life.”
She curled against him, cheek to his chest, his arms closing around her like a shield and a vow.
“Viktor…”
Her voice quivered, tender and curious.
“Is it always… that much?”
His laugh came rough, dark with lingering hunger. He tipped her chin up until her lips parted under his thumb. His eyes burned into hers—steady, possessive, still a little wild.
“It’s only like this because it’s you. Only you.”
Dask, look at her. I’ll never be enough—but I’ll die trying to be.
“I’ll spend my life proving it,” he vowed, voice low. “Again and again, until the world knows you’re mine.”
She forgot to breathe, wonder bright in her eyes.
“Viktor… I’ll never be the same.”
“My love,” he exhaled, still raw from ruin. “That was only the beginning. And I’ll never let it be the end.”
She pressed closer, tracing lazy circles against his arm.
“Did you… call me Ami?”
He groaned, dragging a hand over his face.
“Dask, did I? Must’ve slipped.”
Her smile deepened.
“My father used to call me that. Evander still does sometimes.”
He caught her hand, thumb stroking her palm—gentle but claimed.
“Then tell Evander it’sminenow.”
Her smile curved against his throat.
