18. Lyra
Chapter 18
Lyra
“What is this place?” I ask in a whisper as I slowly turn, taking in my surroundings.
Colton flashes me one of his heart-stopping smirks. “Oh, my shadow, I could bring you to a new romantic location within the Dream Forest every night for a year, and we still wouldn’t see all of its beauty,” he declares, and gods, I believe him.
This secluded part of the forest forms a natural enclave, crafted by the dense canopy of towering trees and cascading wisteria vines. The ancient, majestic trees with their thick, gnarled trunks and broad branches intertwine, forming a vaulting ceiling far above. From this verdant arch, long clusters of wisteria blooms hang like curtains of rich violet, transforming the space into a cave-like sanctuary.
I walk along the small river’s edge, looking up. The canopy is so lush that it nearly obscures the sky, allowing only speckled beams of moonlight to filter through. These beams illuminate the mist rising off the river, adding to the spectacular ambiance.
“It’s so beautiful—this may be my favorite place yet,” I tell him .
He tugs on my hand, drawing my attention back to him. His touch sends shivers up my skin, and a deep yearning starts to form in my core. The cool air, fragrant with the scent of fresh blooms and wet earth, heightens the sense of entering a hidden grotto. The tranquility is further enhanced by the soft murmurs of a modest waterfall behind Colton.
I glance past him to see its waters cascading into the calm river below, and the idea of getting into the water is suddenly very tempting.
He sheds his jacket and shirt, tossing them aside along with his boots, as if he’s tuned into my unspoken desires. I slip off my shoes and start to tug at one of my dress straps, but Colton catches my hand, clicking his tongue in gentle admonishment. My brow furrows in confusion, but before I can protest, he lifts me effortlessly and carries me toward the water.
“Don’t spoil all my fun. I want to undress you...slowly,” he murmurs, his voice a warm caress as we wade into the shallow waters near the waterfall.
The water is pleasantly warm. The mist from the waterfall feels good as it splashes off the rocks and rains down on us. “I might actually make you work for it. You still have some explaining to do,” I retort playfully, echoing him from earlier.
He responds by tightening his grip on my ass, pressing me closer to him in a way that nearly draws a moan from deep within me. The effects of the Stardust drink are intensifying, and my desire for him grows with each passing second.
“Is that so? Well, ask away, Princess,” he challenges, his lips trailing a path of kisses up my damp neck.
“What have you been doing with Dorian? Do you know about the military camps Nyx has set up in Vision Valley? Is Dorian supplying them with weaponry?” I fire off my questions, each one punctuated by his kisses slowing as he processes them.
He pulls back to look at me, dipping us further into the water until it reaches his waist. “What exactly have you been up to yourself? Seems you’ve been quite busy lately too,” he teases, desire still alight in his eyes despite the shift toward more serious conversation.
“I may have gone hiking with Hollie, and we stumbled across some Fae soldiers, so we followed them,” I admit, noting his sudden concern.
“What were you two doing hiking so far from the villa? You must have been quite distant to run into soldiers,” he says.
I pull back slightly, his tone igniting a flicker of defiance within me. “I didn’t realize you intended to keep me locked up in the villa while you’re away,” I snap back more sharply than I intended.
“Lyra, that’s not what I mean. You know you can do whatever you want. But I worry about you,” he says quickly, trying to soften his previous implication. “I didn’t know you and Hollie were hanging out so much or venturing that far. The Dream Forest can be dangerous.”
“You don’t think I can take care of myself? You don’t think I can protect us if something were to happen? I think I’ve more than proven I’m capable,” I retort, my voice firm. “Plus, I’ve been practicing my dark magic even more lately. Hollie and I venture far from the villa, away from prying eyes. The last thing I need is for more rumors to spread.”
Then his words stun me momentarily, his admission an echo in the cool night air. “Gods, I want to fuck you so bad right now,” he breathes out, his eyes locked on mine, blazing with a fiery intensity. He’s trying to dodge this conversation.
“What did you say?” I laugh, surprised by his bluntness yet finding myself drawn deeper into his gaze.
“Oh, I think you heard me loud and clear, Princess. But I’ll say it again because I think you enjoy it,” he continues, each word deliberate, punctuating the air between us. “I want to fuck you so bad right now.”
My cheeks burn with a flush of heat, my body responding despite the serious undertone of our conversation. “Don’t think for a second you’re going to distract me away from this conversation,” I manage to say, though my voice comes out breathier than intended, betraying my own desires.
He doesn’t miss a beat, addressing my earlier questions as he pulls me closer. “Yes, I know about the camps. Yes, Dorian is supplying them, and I’ve been helping him, working with Bim a bit too. Bim doesn’t like lying to Nyx about my involvement, but he knows he’s irrational when it comes to you,” he confesses, his words mingling with the misty air around us.
“It seems both of you make irrational decisions when it comes to me. Why did you keep this from me, especially after we agreed no more secrets?” I ask, the effects of the drink muddling my frustration.
“I wasn’t hiding it, honestly. We’ve both been so busy, and I only found out about it recently myself. They were reluctant to tell me because they didn’t want to provoke Nyx,” Colton explains, his voice earnest. “Things are getting serious in Cloudrum, Lyra. We’re all going to have to make tough decisions soon, especially you. I wish I could keep you hidden away here forever. If you asked, I might even try to find a way to make that happen.”
“All the more reason to cherish nights like tonight. Who knows how many we have left?” I say, gazing up at the slices of moonlight filtering through the canopy.
“Have you really been practicing your dark magic more? Why wouldn’t you ask for my help?” he suddenly asks, shifting the conversation.
“I didn’t want to unsettle you,” I whisper, avoiding his gaze.
He gently cups my cheek, compelling me to look at him. “Hey, I’ve told you before—nothing about you could ever unsettle me.”
I look down, uncertain if I believe him. I’m not sure why I’m letting Nyx get to me, especially right now. Colton moves his hand to my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze, and I finally do.
“I’ll prove it to you right now.” He pauses, and a wicked smirk starts to spread across his face. “Let your dark magic out right now. Let your dark side fuck me, and I’ll show you exactly how little it unsettles me,” he says, and I feel my shadows stir under my skin at the invitation.
His suggestion sends a thrill through me, a mix of fear and excitement. He watches me, his eyes intense, filled with an earnest hunger that leaves little room for doubt.
“Are you sure?” My voice is barely a whisper, the weight of my power pressing against the confines I’ve imposed on it.
“Absolutely, my shadow,” he breathes, his expression unwavering. “I want all of you, Lyra. Every shadow, every sliver of darkness. Show me.”
Emboldened by his acceptance, I let the darkness seep through the surface, my shadows spilling out of me and curling around us both like a tangible embrace. The air around us thickens, the atmosphere charged with the raw essence of my magic.
I let my shadows tighten around us, pressing our bodies closer together, and his smile widens.
“See?” he says, his voice rough. “Nothing about you could ever push me away. Let go—I’ve got you, always. Show me all of you.”
I’m wary, but his encouragement is all I need. I release my hold further, allowing the dark magic to intertwine with my desires. My need for him becomes frantic as I press my lips to his and drink from him as if I am dying of thirst. I clasp his arms, and the feel of his muscles beneath my hands sets me off.
He pulls my straps down, freeing my breasts and taking them into his hands, massaging me before breaking our kiss and teasing my nipples with his lips and teeth. I let my head fall back, the tension in my body building for him.
I don’t know if it’s the Stardust drinks, my dark magic, or perhaps a potent mix of both, but I’m consumed with a fervent hunger for him. I thread my fingers through his hair, gripping tightly at the back of his head, pulling until his head tips back. This allows me the perfect angle to kiss him fiercely.
I bite down on his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood, eliciting a deep growl from his throat. His response is instant. His hand finds my neck, pulling me into a harder, more desperate kiss, the taste of blood only spurring him on. As the intensity escalates, I close my eyes and channel us to the river’s edge, where his back hits the soft grass.
My shadows react, tearing my dress into shreds while Colton, with a wave of his hand, makes his pants disappear before I can rip them myself. I pout briefly at his quick action, but my frustration is fleeting—I need him too much, and I can feel my power stirring within, still holding back, not yet ready to surrender completely to its dark embrace.
There’s no time for foreplay. My body craves more of him, a desperate need to cling to what I have, to be closer to my mate. I can tell I’m ready, and without hesitation he steadies my hips as I lower myself onto him. The sensation of him filling me satisfies my deepest need. I brace my hands on his chest, beginning to ride him in a tantalizingly slow rhythm.
He reaches up to grab my hips again, but I weave my shadows around his wrists, pinning them above his head. A soft chuckle escapes him, and I meet his gaze with a look that says I’m in control now, a notion he seems to relish. I increase my pace, lifting off him then sinking back down, each movement more intense than the last.
I glance down and notice the tips of my hair darkening to black. Don’t lose control , I remind myself, but it’s challenging. He feels too good, and my grasp on restraint is slipping away rapidly.
Colton flips me onto my back. I don’t know how he broke free, but in a blink he’s on top of me, his fingers tracing my face and around my eyes as he examines me. I catch sight of my own reflection in his eyes—my pupils swirling black—and he must be feeling the inky veins that have started to spread across my face.
“Now, it’s my turn to show you that no matter how dark and powerful you think you are, I can always take control, because you’re mine,” he declares, thrusting into me. The force takes my breath away, each movement more dominating than the last.
My body craves his possessiveness, and the darkness within me purrs in pleasure as he asserts himself. Colton takes control in the most intoxicating way.
He grips my thighs tight, holding my legs apart, pushing and pulling my body with his, as if seeking to bury himself even deeper inside me. I cry out, throwing my hands up, desperately searching for something to ground myself. I latch onto his biceps, holding on for dear life as he drives me into oblivion.
I climax twice before he finally slows his pace. This is not making love; this is Colton claiming what belongs to him—and I fucking love it.
He releases my legs, and they fall to the grass, limp as overcooked noodles. He leans over me, his face inches from mine, his expression intense, his emerald eyes fiercely glowing in the moonlit night. “I love you, Lyra, all of you, no matter how dark. You’re mine,” he declares, sending my heart into a joyful flutter.
“I love you, Colton, and you’re mine,” I respond, reaching up to caress his face. He kisses me tenderly for the first time tonight, his tongue slowly exploring my mouth as if memorizing every contour.
His arousal remains firm inside me, and he resumes moving, slowly this time. I revel in the sensation of him withdrawing and then pressing back in deeply.
“Come inside me. I want to feel you,” I urge him, pulling away from his kiss. I’ve already climaxed twice and feel a twinge of selfishness. Looking down between us, I watch us merge into one. His hand travels from my breast down to my center, where he begins to circle my clit. I bite down on my lip, my hands digging into the grass.
Colton tugs gently at my lip with his teeth and kisses me again, his movements drawing moans and cries from me until I climax once more, quivering beneath him.
“Good girl,” he murmurs, tasting myself on his finger. His stare locks onto mine, not kissing me, watching as he reaches his own climax. I hold his piercing gaze, letting it delve into my soul as he releases inside me, leaving us both panting in the aftermath.
I never want to leave this position, but after a few moments he gently pulls out and settles beside me, tugging me to rest on his chest. “Colton,” I whisper, my voice nearly drowned out by the chorus of frogs echoing through the night.
“Yes, my shadow,” he replies. I throw an arm over him and hook one leg around him, yearning for the closeness we shared moments ago. He wraps his arm around me tightly, holding me as if he too can’t bear the distance.
“My dress is shredded to ribbons, and I’m too exhausted to move,” I confess, and he chuckles softly. I swat at his chest, but it’s a feeble gesture. I’m spent after the day’s events, the night’s passions, and the surge of magic. My body cries out for rest.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, the last thing I hear before his essence envelops us. Suddenly, we’re in his bed, his body wrapped around mine, cradling me in his embrace—safe.