She shivered, leaning into him as she focused on a natural seat made of hard packed earth jutting out of the mountainside.Stirring the dirt to her will, she molded and reshaped it into a larger surface for them.
Focusing next on the greenery trailing down the hillside, Daya channeled life and energy into the plants, stretching and growing them into a canopy.The breeze rose to a persistent rustle of sound, twining through the vines and leaves until an almost lyrical melody hovered in the air around them.
Tightening his arms around her, he kissed the column of her neck.“Now there is an inspired use of magic.”
They made their way to her creation, whispered kisses and removal of clothes limiting their movement as they walked.Raiden caught Daya’s braid when she turned toward the earthen bed, loosening the strands from their tight stricture.He brushed his fingers through the mass to untangle it and groaned at the sight of the dark waterfall against her bare skin.
Her brows lowered in confusion as she looked back at him, and he grinned, wrapping her hair around his fist.“Indulge me.I’ve had dreams about your hair falling around us when we’re joined together.”
Passion replaced the question in her eyes, and she threw her arms around him.With newly healed strength, he lifted her up and carried her the last few strides to their bed.Daya kissed him with fervor, flaming the heat between them to a blaze of urgent need.They’d been dancing, building to this since the moment they met on the opposite side of the mountain from where they lay now.
Trailing his fingers over her skin, he traced a long scar up her leg and over her hip, massaging the survivor’s mark from some past incident.“Strong and beautiful.”He trailed his lips over her stomach and felt her quiver beneath him.“My huntress.”
“Raiden, I haven’t—” She stumbled over her words.“You’re—”
“I’m your only?”
“Yes.Since… It’s been a very long time.”
“My honor, Dayanara.”
A soft sound left her lips as he spoke, and he smiled against her skin, realizing she needed the words.Whispering her name and pouring everything he felt into soft murmurs and endearments, he covered her entire body in kisses.Worshiping her in his own way, until she was coming apart for him.
He covered her completely as she softened, moving slowly to give her time to adjust.“Just breathe with me, anaiah.”
A shuddering breath shook her as she returned his gaze.The trust in her eyes heated him with a possessive intensity he’d never felt.This magnificent woman who could flatten him with her earth magic or end him with a single shot of her bow, surrendering to him in complete faith.
“That’s it, love,” he caressed her with his voice, raining kisses along the curve of her neck and down her chest.“I’ve got you.”
You’re mine.He held back the words he couldn’t promise.His heart squeezed at the loss, but he pushed it back, wanting to honor their stolen moment together.
The starry sky glowed brightly through the living green that enveloped them, heightening the feeling of magic brewing in the air.Letting go of his control over his gift, he let it bleed out into the shadows of the night, melding with the embers of Daya’s magic that lingered in the plants and soil.Color rose and glowed around them in sparking arcs of light he could feel more than see.
Daya came alive as she relaxed, tightening her arms around him as she moved with him.“Over.”
He complied with a grin at her earnestness, cradling her lower back as he flipped them.Rising over him, she dipped her head to kiss him deeply, encouraging her hair to cascade around them.The dark strands fluttered in the breeze, cutting off everything but her sparkling eyes for a moment.The depth of emotion in her eyes seared him, matching what he felt inside and then some.
“Anaiah,” he said, heart swelling with more than passion.
“I wanted to make your dream real.”
“You’ve done that and more, love.”
He tunneled his fingers into her hair, holding her head tenderly in place as he met her lips.Sealing them together, he poured his heart into the kiss.She’d been his saving grace when she’d found him on the mountainside.He’d never have guessed she’d also be the one to make him whole.Moving his hands to her sides, he held her tight as they flew together.
Vision full of nothing but her deep, earth brown eyes, he let the feeling of rightness overwhelm him.Joy and passion overrode everything but her as the sparks of flame exploded between them.He wrapped his arms around her as she collapsed over him and wondered how one night would ever be enough.
A single tear soaked into his shoulder where Daya had buried her face against him.Keeping one arm securely over her back, he stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to her head.
Leaving her when dawn came was going to rip his soul apart.
Chapter 12
Leaningagainstthedoorway,Connor watched Daya walk away through the forest, Ereven riding her padded shoulder.The fact that the hawk was riding and not flying told him how much she was hurting.How much she was hiding.
His heart yearned to go after her, but honor and duty bound his soul too tightly.He couldn’t slash those bonds.Wouldn’t.Not even for the woman he’d fallen in love with.
After the night they’d shared, he could admit it in truth.He couldn’t claim her the way he’d always wanted, but she was his nonetheless.
