“Fuck!” I gasp.
He changes the pace, moving slowly and so deeply that I fear he can’t go any further. He’s to the hilt in my core, and the need for more doesn’t ease as I come back down. With another deep thrust, he shoves himself deeper once more before a low, feral moan leaves his mouth. Silas tips his head back as he comes deep into me, still moving until the last second.
He kisses me deeply, slowly, and thoroughly.
He stares deeply into my eyes. “Say the word, and I am yours, Briar.” He kisses me again before pulling away. “Or don’t, and I’m still yours until we travel to the darkest realms and after.”
Expecting no response from me, he lays beside me on the bed. Moving a piece of hair from my face, he kisses my forehead. I could live in this moment forever.
“You are mine, Silas, and I am yours. Darkness and all.”
We remain tangled together until sleep finds us both easily. We stay this way until the morning sun beats into my window, surrounded by golden light rays.
He lies next to me as I turn to face him, watching his back rise and fall with steady breaths, showing he’s still in a deep sleep. Small scars paint his back with white and dark purple lines—scars that hold memories he hasn’t wanted to talk about yet. I trace one scar with my finger and listen to the calming sounds of his breathing—sounds that mean he is safe. Scooting off the bed, I grab his shirt and throw it over my head before heading to the bathing chambers. I splash cold water on my face, needing to feel energized after a long night with Silas.
A knock thuds on my door.
Shit.
Peering around the door, Silas still sleeps, undisturbed by the knock. I barely allow the hinges to open as I peek through the siltof the wooden frame. Maines stands, hopping around, impatient as ever.
“Hi,” I whisper, not fully opening the door.
Maines wrinkles her forehead. “Can I come in?”
Fiddling with my hair, I glance back at Silas. “Now isn’t a great time. I’m just waking up.”
She pushes the door open. “What do you mean it isn’t a great…” She trails off at the sight of Silas naked in my bed, the sheets barely covering his muscled ass.
She snaps her attention to me once more, noticing the shirt I’m wearing, which nearly hangs to my knees. “Gods,” she laughs. “Now that’s a sight to see! The Prince of Darkness, asleep in your bed.” She steps back, giving me space, but whispers with a wink. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring you some tonic later.”
“Can I help you with something?” I huff.
“Well, we found something,” she says, failing in her attempt to stay quiet.
“We? What do you mean we?”
She pushes the door open further, revealing Oak standing there with a wide grin. “Hi there, Princess! Long night?”
Silas pushes off his hands, raising his head off the pillow, sleep still heavy in his eyes. “Good morning, everyone. Enjoying the view?”
He pulls the sheets up with a groan, turning his bare back to us.
“Actually, I am,” Maines jokes. “Get up, Nastronde. You’re looped into this mess now, and as much as I like to pretend not to like you, we need your help!”
He slips off the bed, the sheets following wrapped around his hips, and growls, heading toward the bathing chambers before slamming the door. “Well, someone isn’t a morning person, are they?”
Maines and Oak laugh as they enter the bedroom, hand in hand.
“Okay, enough, you two!” I snap, getting more annoyed by the second.
Spinning on my heel, I follow Silas, closing the door behind me and leaving Maines and Oak by the fireplace. He steps forward—now dressed in whatever clothes he found on the floor—and grabs my face with an intensity that instantly makes my core feel molten once more. He kisses me deeply, brushing a strand of hair that has fallen from my face, unconcerned that Oak and Maines can hear us.
“I have a feeling they’re going to catch me up on everything?” he asks.
“You’re in this now. I hope you’re ready,” I reply, grabbing his hand.
Silas softly smiles. “I’m always ready, my Briar.”
