“Yes. The seven Stones of Light are linked by arcane magic, but when the most important one—the Light of Creation—broke the connection and disappeared over two thousand years ago, the rest are declining faster. It affects every living thing because we are all connected to its magic. Now, this world fades, as does nature.” He nodded to the trees. “Our wildlife is no more, and we’re faced with impossible weather conditions and sometimes unexplainable happenings.”
She wanted to tell him it would be okay, but what did she know? She wasn’t even a Chosen. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could help your world thrive again.”
“We will find more Chosen.”
“How?”
“Magic is sentient. The one from the Stone of Creation will want to remain close.”
Right. She wasn’t sure how that would work. People moved around a lot. But meeting his intense silver stare, she forgot her thoughts, shifted back, and her foot slipped—
“Eeep!” Arms, wheeling, she toppled backward, splashing into a pocket of deeper water, thoroughly drenching herself.Gah!She spluttered and coughed as Aerén pulled her out of the pool.
He laughed.
Scowling, she scooped up water and splashed him, further drenching his tunic and jeans.
He glanced at his shirt, then at her. “You didn’t just do that, especially after I rescued you?”
She snorted, licking the water from her lips. “What? You going to dump me back in the stream again? I’m already wet.”
“Is that so?” His stare lowered to her chest, to the drenched fabric clearly outlining her nipples, and his expression darkened.
Blood whooshed in her skull, and Leya stood there, unable to move. His gaze lifted to hers again.
“Then I can’t leave you wanting.” His voice turned husky as he closed the small distance between them. “Can I?”
He slid his palm around her nape. His mouth touched hers in a soft kiss, and need unfurled. Leisurely, he sucked on her lower lip.
Feeling as if someone had vacuumed up all the oxygen in the woods, she gulped in a shaky breath. He eased back. With her emotions running high, and her body coiled like a spring, desire for this immortal gripped her like a vise.
She reached up, fingers threading through his hair, and she dragged him back to her. Her lips fastened on his, and she kissed him with all the longing consuming her.
A low growl reverberated in his chest, and he took over. As their tongues tangled in a wild and demanding kiss, his arm banded around her waist, plastering her against his warm body. She felt every hard inch of him.
He cupped her breast, squeezing and massaging it, then tugged on her nipple through her wet tunic—a pull she felt all the way to her core. Her mind went hazy. Her thoughts scattered. His mouth grazed her neck, nipping and sucking her skin as he slid her tunic up, rubbing his palm against the apex of her thighs.
Leya groaned, parting her legs, desperate for more. “Aerén, please…”
“I’m not rushing this.” He picked her up and waded through the water, settling her on a warm, smooth stone surface.
He grasped her wet tunic, removed it, and dropped it next to her. Her underwear followed. Naked, she sat there, so on edge.
He moved her feet onto the rock. The momentum had her bracing on her arms, causing her thighs to spread. Leya thanked the universe she’d waxed.
His gaze went down her body, lingering on her wet core. “You’re beautiful, Leya,” he breathed. “I knew that from the moment I saw you, but this? You’re sexy as hell.”
Refusing to be the only one naked, Leya sat up and pulled off his wet shirt. She dropped it beside her, then reached for the waistband of his jeans. His eyes were silver flames as she unsnapped and unzipped him. She slipped her hand inside, grasping his rigid length.
He grunted.
“You feel amazing,” she said huskily. Like hot silk encasing steel. And enormous.
It struck her then that he didn’t have any body hair. He was all smooth golden skin over hard muscles, definitely honed from his millennia of fighting.
His jaw clenched, his dick jerking in her fist as she stroked him.
“Not yet.” He moved her hand away, pushed her to brace herself on the wet, warm surface again, and ran his thumb along her slit.
