Leya held onto the edge of the lounger as he thrust in and out of her, her entire being merging with his as he took her to the pinnacle again. Her orgasm rushed through her at breakneck speed, and she moved with him, harder and faster, chasing after another release—
“Yes, exactly like that!” Then he grunted, his power swelling through her, the tingles heightening her climax, and she flew over, a cry escaping her, her entire being shattering…
“Fuck!” He stiffened, finding his release once more. Breathing hard, he buried his face in her neck.
Her arms tightened around him. “That,” she breathed, “was quite something—”
“Notquite something,” he grunted. “It was fucking amazing!”
She laughed. “It was. Will it always be this way?”
He lifted his head, his dick stirring within her. “Yes, because it’s you,” he said simply.
She swallowed hard, her love for him expanding. “Your eyes are gleaming with those white specks again.”
“As are yours. It’s the mating bond. It will glow every time we make love, but it won’t remain as long as the first time. I don’t want to squash you.” He rolled off her to lay beside her on the chaise lounge, a muscular arm behind his head, the other drawing her to him.
“So, we’re gonna just lay here, naked?” she teased.
Smiling, he glanced around the substantial garden. “Maybe…I’m counting the many hidden niches where we can make love.”
She huffed, and then she, too, looked.
Shifting her off him, he got to his feet, removed his pants and boots, and did the same with hers. He lifted her into his arms and, casting her a wicked smile, he crossed to the enormous rock pool and leaped in.
She shrieked, grabbing him around his neck as they splashed into the cool, flowing water. He laughed, causing her to groan as she found her feet in the chest-high pool.
Pushing away, she swam to the bank, edged with shrubs of purple leaves with blue streaks. Aerén came up behind her, his powerful arms circling her. His warm naked body pressed to hers, and he kissed her nape.
“Where are you swimming off to, hmm? We’ve just started—” He went dead-still behind her.
Frowning, she glanced back. He reached past her, gently pulling a slender branch, with clusters of tiny colorful leaves, to them.
Leya blinked and touched a leaf. “Wow, they are beautiful and bright.”
He moved to her side, his brow furrowed as he studied the deep pink and brilliant blue foliage. “Yes, these plants fare better here than those outside, but they were never this bright. They were like…those.” He nodded to the trees farther away from the pool with the faded hues.
“What does this mean? Is it because Hana’s here, and they sense her magic?”
His thumb gently stroked a leaf. “No…they would need more than that, something corporeal. Were you hurt while anywhere near here?”
“No…” She frowned. “Not hurt exactly. The first time we were here, I sat on the rock and grazed my calf…” Her heart pounded. “It can’t be me.”
“Leya,youfirst housed the magic. Even if it didn’t remain with you, a residue does.”
“Oh.”
“The scroll showed it as inconclusive, but I think this was why.” A smile. “And the Auras is a mystical creature, linked to magic—the magic of this realm. I should have known. To us, they were myths. Butyouawakened it, gave its ghostly shape form.”
“I was going to ask Hana if she spilled blood here, but now that you mention the Auras…”
“I know.” He tipped her chin and kissed her, his wet body aligning against hers. “In our world, even a little magic is better than none. And yes, your sister is here, too.”
“Then I’m happy that I could help your world in some small way. Besides, I love plants…”
“Indeed.” With a laugh, he scooped her out of the water and dematerialized them, reforming in their room.
She looked up at him, and her heart expanded with love, unable to believe he was hers.
