Riyan shifted my legs to the right side of his chest as he loosened the laces of his pants. “See? Being patient is rewarding.”
Though I desperately needed him inside me, I could not help but laugh.
I only caught a glimpse of his devious smile before he slowly entered me. I dropped my head on the pillow and closed myeyes. Soft moans escaped my lips with each thrust as I savored the feel of his rough edges against my soft curves.
The splintered edges of the bed creaked beneath us. Riyan quickened his pace and the rough motion bent and snapped more of the shattered supports. He slammed his hand into the headboard and it cracked, but my cries of pleasure nearly drowned out the noise.
“Not so mouthy now, are you?” he said with a wicked edge to his voice.
I almost shot back about him being “mouthy” when he was between my legs, but I could not find the words. White light filled my entire body as I enjoyed him, enjoyed us.
My head fell to the side and I felt the tickle of his calloused palm cupping my flushed cheek. He eased his rhythm but my body pulsed around him, wanting more. My eyes opened only slightly as I looked up at him through my heavy lashes.
His face was soft and his voice echoed through our bond. “I take back what I said earlier about commissioning that portrait of you for the dining hall. No one else gets to see you like this. This is just ours.”
I closed my eyes and smiled into his palm. Ours.
The word repeated through our bond as heat and light filled my body, slowly reaching its pinnacle. I gripped the planes of tight muscle on Riyan’s legs as pleasure built within me. His lips caressed the top of my head as he whispered that he loved me. My body started to shake, but my mind was calm and clear.
I was safe. I was warm. I washis.
We finished together and crashed beside each other on the mattress. Before I could even think to move, Riyan wiped the sweat from my brow and kissed me on the forehead. I rested my head on his chest and crossed my leg over his waist, clinging to as much of him as I could. His hand cupped the back of my thighand his chin rested on top of my head as his heartbeat slowed to a quiet thump.
Although my body craved the bliss of sleep, I savored Riyan’s smell too much to lose even a second to unconsciousness.
So I just breathed, long and deep, even though I never would have to breathe again.
I breathed because Icould.
As I let out a long exhale against Riyan’s skin, I finally understood why Fraleigh was willing to face the collar. Pain is temporary. Despair is finite. A cage can only get so small.
Alastar could drag me away into the sunrise, but Riyan and I were bonded—unbreakable. No matter how brief my moments of reprieve might be throughout eternity, Riyan would still be there.
My fingertips brushed the hair on his chest as my hand curled into a fist. Riyan and I might never end, but I still never wanted our time together to stop.
Golden light flared through my eyelids and I buried my face into his shoulder.
No, just a little longer.
The song of the birds filtered through the broken window and I gritted my teeth.
We were eternal. It would be all right…
Soldiers shouted outside as they formed ranks. “The Duke is coming!”
Riyan’s chest stirred and he tightened his grip on my thigh. I opened my eyes to the sickly yellow light that leaked through the boards nailed to the shattered window.
Time had finally run out.
My heart pounded as I forced myself to sit up in bed. Strips of sunlight painted the mattress like the bars of a dungeon cell.
Alastar was near, ready to take my bargain in full.
Riyan took a deep breath and his beautiful eyes fluttered open. The weight of the fateful morning settled on our throats and silenced us. Even our bond was quiet.
He gave me a soft smile and a kiss between the eyes before he rose. I clutched the blankets and watched as he dressed—a simple shirt and pants with leather armor over his heart.
Very little protection, but that would not matter. Deathlessness would be my parting gift.
