“I can summon storms, but not banish them. And I can command lightning, but the control of the sea is beyond my abilities.”
That sent a shiver over her. “And from the Adoni?”
He nuzzled her neck as his hand sent ribbons of pleasure through her. “Is this really the conversation you wish to hold right now?”
She blushed again at his question. “I’m just trying to understand you.”
Devyl nibbled her collarbone. There was nothing for her to understand. Not really. He was terribly uncomplicated. Just a broken man who was bent on vengeance.
Of course that was a little more complicated given the fact he doubted Mara would stand by while he took her sister’s head. The one thing about Mara, she was loyal to a fault. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister.
Worse, he held a secret that, if she ever learned it, would guarantee her enmity for all eternity.
But he didn’t want to think about that right now. Not when her warm, supple body was beneath his.
His heart pounding, he pulled away long enough to remove his boots and stockings.
Mara traced the scars on his back with her nails, sending chills over him. “Are all these from battle?”
“Nay,” he said gruffly. “My father was a firm believer in the lash. As was my mother.”
“I’m sorry, Duel.”
“It doesn’t bother me.” That was the truth. Perhaps there had been a time in his childhood when it had, yet he couldn’t recall it. “Better me than either of my sisters.”
She rose up to gently kiss his scars. He sucked his breath in sharply. And when she wrapped her arms around him, he lost himself to her completely. Dagda help him. He wanted to die in this moment. To end eternity right here and now on this one perfect feeling of being wanted. Desired.
He could almost believe that she loved him, and that was the worst of all. Because he wanted it to be real. He wanted this fantasy.
Craved it with everything he wasn’t worth.
But it was bullshit. He had no doubt.
And yet …
His hand trembling, he undid his breeches and slid them from his body.
Mara froze as she saw him completely bared. Not that she hadn’t seen him that way before.
Many times. He’d never been a particularly modest person. Point of fact, he’d seemed to delight in embarrassing her. But this was very different.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Good.” A tiny smile played at the edges of his lips before he leaned her back on the bed and covered her with his warmth.
She sighed at the pleasant weight of him, reveling in it and in the massive size and hardness of every inch of his flesh. His body felt incredible against hers. And when he slid himself inside, she cried out and clutched him as pain overrode her kinder thoughts where he was concerned. She sank her nails into his back.
He held himself completely still while he kissed and nuzzled her. “Breathe, blodwen. I’ll never hurt you. I swear. It’ll pass in just a moment.”
Mara choked on a sob at his endearment and kindness. Blessed flower. For their people, that was reserved only for those who resided deep within your heart.
And it wasn’t an endearment bandied about idly. No one used it unless they meant it. To a Deruvian, it was as sacred as saying I love you.
Pressing her cheek to his, she cradled him with her body. “I love you, too, Duel.”
He rose on his elbows to stare down at her in disbelief. “What?”
