Epilogue
One year later…
ISABEL
Just as I remove the tray of ice-berry scones from the oven, I hear footsteps in the hallway.
My heart quickens. Gideon sends me a wave of affection as he enters the kitchen.
I glance over my shoulder to offer him a gentle smile in return, and my breath promptly falters at the sight of his bare, muscular chest.
“Good morning,” I say. “The scones just need a moment to cool.”
“Good morning, little moth. It smells delicious. Mmm. Ice-berry. My favorite.”
He reaches me in three quick strides, then wraps his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles his nose against the side of my neck while I transfer the last of the scones to a plate.
He straightens then, only to lean over me and release a soft breath. The air buzzes with his winter magic, and even before I glimpse the first glimmer of blue light in my peripheral vision, I already know what he’s doing.
A narrow stream of sparkling, blue light travels from his parted lips to the plate of scones. The steam rising from the morning pastries vanishes under the rush of cold, magic-infused air that flows directly from Gideon.
Show off, I say through the bond.
His deep chuckle reverberates in my head.
I try to turn in his arms, but he has me pinned firmly in place against the counter. A thrill rushes through me, and my breath starts coming faster.
He leans down to kiss my temple, then his lips drift to my earlobe.
His comforting winter scent fills my senses, and I can’t resist taking a deep inhale. Peppermint, pine, woodsmoke, spices.
Mmm. I could eat him up.
“Gods, Isabel,” he says in a scolding but playful tone. “Have you no shame? The sun has barely risen, and already you’re having scandalous thoughts.” He shifts away from me for a moment, but only so he can grab my bottom in one hand and give it a firm squeeze.
“Me? Scandalous? You’re the one walking around shirtless. At least I am properly dressed.”
He lets go of my backside and rearranges his arms around me, holding me more tightly than before. When I sense his building desire through our bond, my pulse flutters, and a sharp, heated pang flares in my core.
He proceeds to nibble my ear with his winter-cold lips, causing a shiver to course through my body.
His lips brand my flesh as he continues, trailing kisses along my neckline.
My breath falters again, and the back of my neck prickles with sensation. Goosebumps spread quickly over my body, drawing another shiver. Or perhaps it’s simply that I’m now trembling with need.
You won’t be properly dressed for much longer, my sweet mate, he says through the bond.
“Is that a promise?” I whisper, purposely adding a note of challenge to my voice.
A low growl leaves him, and he finally turns me in his arms.
He stares down at me with lust gleaming in his dark eyes. He presses his body more firmly to mine… and then I feel it. The hardness that’s encased in his trousers. Suddenly, the room feels too hot.
He steps back for a moment, but only so he can sweep me into his arms. My heart skips a beat, and anticipation winds through me.
As he carries me upstairs, I savor the winter chill that always clings to his hard, muscular body.
Leaning against him, I settle deeper into his arms, allowing my fingertips to trace the sculpted lines of his chest.
He carries me into the bedroom, places me on my feet, and immediately sets about removing my clothing.
His fingers make quick work of the ties at my back, and the dress soon loosens around me.
He pushes the garment down over my body, and the fabric pools at my feet.
Before I can take my next breath, he’s already tugged my chemise and stockings off, leaving me completely naked.
When he steps back, I can’t help but stare at the massive bulge at the front of his trousers. My mouth goes dry, and my eagerness to be beneath him on the bed grows.
But he doesn’t push me down and climb on top of me yet. Instead, he steps back and gazes at my body, his eyes heated, his nostrils flared.
I flush as he begins walking in slow circles around me, his steps as slow and deliberate as a predator sizing up his prey. A heated flush steals over me at the thought, and the warmth quaking between my thighs coils tighter with each measured step he takes.
Finally, he pauses in front of me. He grasps my chin and forces my gaze to his. A shaky breath escapes me at the intense look in his eyes.
Usually, Gideon is gentle with me. Or at least, our lovemaking sessions begin with gentleness before he grows rougher by the end. But as he stares down at me now, I start to suspect he’s going to be demanding and rough from the very beginning.
I also catch a hint of darkness in his eyes, the taunting gleam I used to fear. Now, it makes me quiver with longing. I can’t quite catch my breath under his steady gaze.
Through the bond, I have no difficulty sensing his primal desire. I can even tell what he’s thinking at this very moment—he’s already considering which position he wants to have me in when he claims my body.
His lips curve slightly as he reaches a decision, and I already know what he’s going to say before he draws his next breath.
“Bend over the bed, little moth. I intend to take you from behind.”
Heat floods me instantly, and a gasp catches in my throat. I find myself pressing my thighs together to briefly alleviate the sharp, incessant ache.
He steps back and nods toward the bed, waiting for me to comply. He’s still wearing his trousers, and the imbalance between us sends a delicious thrill through me—him partially clothed and me completely bare before him. A sense of vulnerability sweeps through me.
My legs feel weak as I finally turn to face the bed, ever aware that he’s watching my every movement.
I’m waiting. His voice reaches me through our shared bond.
Slowly, I approach the bed and bend over. As the sun finally rises, the morning light streams into the bedroom, heightening my sense of exposure. Knowing he expects me to arch my back and lift my bottom, I draw in a deep breath and finish assuming the position he desires.
As I part my legs and lift my center high, I sense his pleasure through the bond.
Fabric rustles behind me, and I glance over my shoulder just in time to see him removing his trousers.
My eyes widen at the sight of his rigid cock, so huge and imposing. A drop of his essence glistens on the bulbous tip of his fully erect shaft, and gods, I cannot look away.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s not polite to stare?” he says as he walks closer, and his authoritative tone makes me quiver. “I daresay I must teach you a lesson in manners, little moth.”
Before I can respond, he steps behind me and presses his hardness directly to my aching core. His fingers dig into my hips. I grasp the bedcovers, knowing I’ll need something to hold on to. I sense he’s about to be very rough. He’s about to sink himself inside me and pound away.
“Tell me who you belong to, little moth.” His hands tighten, and he pushes more firmly against my core, though he still doesn’t enter me yet. “Tell me. Say it.”
I whimper. “You. I belong to you.”
A low sound rumbles in his chest at my answer.
“My obedient little moth,” he murmurs.
His grip tightens on my hips as he holds me exactly where he wants me. The bond between us flares with overwhelming warmth, threaded with a fierce affection that only deepens the ache inside me.
I close my eyes, bracing myself, and then he finally surges forward.
He thrusts inside me, filling me up in one rapid, harsh drive that sends a current of quaking heat and sensation throughout my body.
He’s just as rough as I expected. With each quick, hard plunge into my slick center, his scrotum slaps against my clit, and it doesn’t take long for the first climax to rush over me. I gasp and cry out, shuddering and gasping through the undulating release that makes my toes curl.
That’s it, little moth. Come for me. Come while I’m pounding you from behind, his deep voice enters my head, a steady vibration that makes me quiver anew.
As daylight deepens, it spills across the room in golden waves. I turn my head to glance out the nearest window, a strange sort of peace settling over me as Gideon continues claiming me as his.
Frozen lakes shimmer beneath the rising sun, and frost-apple trees gleam faintly against the snow-covered mountainside, surrounded by ice-berry bushes and other vegetation that glitters with ussha.
Far below, the valley is dotted with the colorful cottages that belong to the Frostfall faefolk who now live in the human lands near Hollins.
The sight fills me with peace and a sense of wonder.
Gideon tenses as his shaft swells larger inside me.
A moment later, he emits a thunderous growl, spurting his seed into my depths.
The continued impacts of his scrotum on my clit propel me into another intense, undulating release.
My whimpers and moans combine with his growls and the sound of our bodies joining.
After the last quaking wave of pleasure dissipates, he withdraws carefully from my core and guides me off the bed. He stares down at me, a reverent look gleaming in his eyes. It makes me swoon. He lifts me in his arms, holding me close.
I rest my head against his chest and listen to the beating of his heart. Home. Gideon is truly my home. I love him so much.
His mind brushes against mine, and his voice fills my head.
I love you, too, little moth. Always and forever.