And they were doing this,hopingthe gods would snatch them right off the mountain.This was the definition of insanity.
There was no plan other than wandering aimlessly through the forest, so that’s what they did.Kaz attempted to keep some levity by chatting, but it was lackluster.Everyone was on edge, fully expecting to disappear any second.Soon, the sun was descending, painting the sky in a dusky blue as the snow continued to fall.They thought it would be best to find somewhere to stay overnight, and then they could begin their haphazard quest again in the morning.
A small cave was the only thing by way of shelter they could find.The opening was a squeeze for him and Okab to get into but, luckily it opened into a spacious cavern once inside.Iyana and Kaz entered with ease and began to explore.
“I’ll keep watch out here,” came Altair’s voice from the entrance.
They all glanced towards the front of the cave.Emmeric was wondering why anybody would choose to stay outside in the snow when they could be warm and dry.
“He’s claustrophobic,” whispered Iyana.
Okab frowned.“He never used to be.”
“Well, he is now.When we went through the Pass before…” Iyana trailed off and Emmeric sensed her trying to throw up a wall between them, but she wasn’t fast enough to block the images that flashed through his mind.
Iyana lounged in a body of water, small areas of glowing blue dotting the ceiling.Altair waded towards her, naked, an intense look of hunger on his face.
Altair crowded into her space, running his mouth over her wet skin and whispering in her ear, “My star, I want you…”
Emmeric broke himself free of Iyana’s memory.She winced and mouthed,sorry.While that definitely wasn’t something he had wanted to see, Emmeric shook his head to let her know he was fine.He knew she and Altair were together, and he, unfortunately, had heard them multiple times.It wouldn’t be reasonable for him to ask her to never think of the star again; that’s not how the human mind worked.
He would simply need to replace the memory with one of his own.
A wicked grin crossed his face as he sent the promise down the bond to Iyana.She stopped in her tracks where she had been talking to Kaz and blushed deeply.The shifter looked between the two of them and smirked.Kaz strutted up to Okab and slid her arm through his, drawing him away.
“Come on, star boy, tell me more about this special magic of yours.”
Emmeric stalked up to Iyana and leaned into her space.“Come with me,” he practically growled in her ear before grabbing her hand and leading her deeper into the cave.
As soon as they rounded a corner, his mouth was on hers.This wasn’t fleeting and sweet like in the past; this was a claiming.Emmeric needed to ensure Iyana thoroughly understood where she belonged.She wasn’t his, and he didn’t think he could own her—no one man could ever contain this woman.No, he wanted her to see that this thing between them wasrightand have her choose to stand beside him.They could claim each other as equals.
Nipping at her lower lip, he trailed his hands down her curves, his thumb brushing over her peaked nipple.Iyana gasped into his mouth, and he deepened their kiss further, making their tongues dance together.Emmeric’s fingers stalled at her waistband.Easing his touch back and forth, he slowly moved his hand into her pants.Before touching her where he knew she’d be wet for him, he trailed kisses along her jaw, biting her ear gently.
“Can you be quiet like your namesake, Mouse?”
Her breathy panting filled the air between them before she could speak.“You named me after a cactus.”
Emmeric paused, then bit her ear a little harder.Sassy, stubborn thing.“Yes, well, that’s beside the point.Can you be quiet?”
Iyana nodded.That was all the permission Emmeric needed, so he eased two fingers into Iyana’s soaked core.She gasped, but didn’t cry out.
“So good,” Emmeric murmured.
He moved his fingers in and out slowly while swirling his thumb around her sensitive clit, applying pressure, then easing off.His other hand rolled her nipple until she gasped again, and Emmeric covered her mouth with his own.Iyana kissed him fiercely.This was the fiery woman he loved.Phaedros take him, it made him so hard when she took control.
Iyana’s hand brushed his cock outside of his pants, and he hissed at the sensation, never slowing his own fingers.When she smirked against his lips, Emmeric couldn’t let that stand.He began working her faster and harder, pushing down on that most sensitive area and curling his fingers inside her.
As she came, Iyana opened her mouth in a silent scream.Her walls spasmed around his fingers, and her grip tightened around his cock.
“Good to know you can follow instructions, Mouse.”
“Fuck.You,” she whispered between heaving breaths.
“I fully intend to.”
After removing his own trousers, he sank to his knees and gently peeled Iyana’s off.Once she was bare in front of him, he glanced up at her face, reveling in the pure heat and lust he saw in her expression.
“Do you enjoy it when I’m on my knees for you, Iyana?”
