Chapter 37
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
H e lifted his head, and his black pupils sent a jolt of fire through my veins. “Please,” I said quietly.
There was a heartbeat, a whisper of reluctance before his mouth collided with mine again.
It was a primitive and explosive possession as his mouth fed on mine.
He eradicated every sane thought from my head, evaporating the pain and replacing it with passion.
I could feel him trace my skin, committing every curve to memory.
As if this were his one chance at happiness.
My breath hitched, but his mouth never ceased its erotic exploration, a series of soft kisses that stole my will.
I squeezed his shoulders, and his hair caressed my wrist as he moved down my neck.
The whisper of his dark touch sent a shiver through my body.
I clung to him in a tornado of erotic fire when he cupped my breast, rolling an erect nipple between his fingers before he slid his hand along my ribs and belly.
Every touch amplified the fire in my blood. I wanted to scream for relief, but dry air caught in my throat when his hand moved to my thighs. I moaned when his fingers slipped between my slick, heated flesh, parting my tender lips and pressing inside me.
“Yes, just like that,” I whispered.
I arched toward him, almost coming apart right there as he stretched my tight sheath.
His mouth tugged hard on my nipple, causing a rush of liquid between my thighs.
He nudged my thighs with his knee as his tongue continued to lavish my nipple.
Every whip of his tongue sent a ripple of ecstasy through my body.
Zander’s eyes lit with hunger. Dark fires that would devour me. Consume my body and soul. I froze as those predatory eyes moved to the valley between my breasts.
He kissed my neck, then trailed kisses down my abdomen until reaching my navel. I panted as his tongue made slow, lazy circles.
Air rushed from my lungs when he cupped my ass, holding me in place. His teeth scraped over my sensitized skin as a low moan of male satisfaction escaped his throat.
I clutched his shoulders as if they were the only safe haven in the tornado of emotion assaulting my body. “Zander. Do something.”
I hated that I was begging. Pleading with him. In any other situation, I would’ve been horrified at my behavior. Humiliated even. But my body was on fire, and only he could douse the flames. Thunder crackled in the sky, and I prayed I could keep my magic under control.
He spread my thighs wider, and I clutched the soft material of his bedspread. My breath caught in my throat when he blew cool air against my heated core. Every muscle tensed as his tongue slipped between my lips.
His first foray into the sensitive folds had me crying out. My nails dug into his skin, causing blood to well up on my fingertips. The jolt of pain seemed to spur his aggression, and I realized he was in no more control than I was. He was a ravenous animal engorged in his feast.
Zander licked me like he was starving. His tongue was rough and aggressive, as if he were determined to draw out every last ounce of nectar.
I fought for breath as my stomach coiled.
My breasts jutted out as I arched my back.
All while he held me locked to his marauding mouth, devouring me like a hungry dragon.
Rippling waves of pleasure cascaded over my skin.
Thunder rolled in the heavens, but I hardly noticed.
I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t catch my breath.
When I pushed on his shoulders, his magical tongue stabbed deeper.
I screamed as my body came apart, exploding with tiny jolts of energy beneath my skin and behind my eyes.
Zander could’ve been carved from stone. His taut muscles and Dark Fire pupils were stark and filled with lust. “You will hate me tomorrow, but I will never regret this.”
Denial was my only defense. My only chance to save him.
I would’ve given anything at that moment to get him inside me. To relieve the mounting pressure that he had created. Giving up my self-respect seemed a paltry price. Whatever the consequences, I would deal with them later.
“Just fuck me.”
He drove into me, parting my slick flesh, stretching the tight muscles like a battering ram.
Lightning raced through my blood, burning away the sting of pain of his invasion.
His fingers gripped my ass so tightly I was sure they’d leave a permanent impression.
He thrust deeper and deeper, over and over, until I was breathless, my body a slave to his magical possession.
I gripped him fiercely, hanging on as if my life depended on it. He felt too large, and me too tight, but it only added to the expanding pleasure. Dark Fire coiled around us in a mystical embrace. A black tornado of desire and ecstasy. A visible creation of Zander’s lust.
He rocked me with every brutal thrust. Our souls and magic were as much a prisoner to the relentless passion as we were.
I screamed when his cock swelled, and he gripped my hips like he would never let go. The stinging pain sent a raging inferno of pleasure through my body, and I clamped down, milking his cock with my orgasm.
My body quivered as his magic retracted. I couldn’t move and felt like I had run ten miles. My body was limp, my mind fractured as I contemplated the consequences of my actions. But I was just too tired to deal with them.
Zander whispered my name as I succumbed to the darkness.
Riven’s hand shook my shoulder, her voice light with amusement. “Time to get up, sleepyhead.”
My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure where I was. The room was dim, only the faint morning light seeping through the window. I blinked rapidly, glancing around and realizing I was back in my bunk.
Zander. He must’ve dressed me and brought me back here. My flight armor was folded neatly on the small side table next to my bed—another clear sign of his handiwork.
“What is it?” I muttered, pushing myself upright.
“Get dressed,” Riven grinned, already heading back toward the door. “You’ve had your beauty sleep. Let’s go.”
I dragged my flight armor on faster than I probably should have, fingers fumbling with the buckles as memories from last night surged back. Zander had helped me—more than helped me. And I’d felt it, too. That same pull he claimed to feel.
But what stuck with me more than anything was what he’d said just before I drifted off. I hope you forgive me.
Forgive him? For what? He hadn’t taken advantage of me—if anything, I had thrown myself at him.
And yet, I knew what he meant. He thought I’d regret it.
Thought I’d see him as someone who had manipulated me in a vulnerable moment.
But if anyone had a reason to be angry, it was him.
I brought my mess to his door, and now he’s tangled in it too.
I followed my squad to the breakfast hall, still turning the thoughts over in my mind. Zander wasn’t there. I tried not to feel disappointed, but my gaze kept drifting toward the Crownwatch table, hoping to see those lavender eyes watching me.
Breakfast passed in a blur—warm bread, eggs, and spiced cider—but I barely tasted any of it.
“You’re quieter than usual,” Riven said, nudging my arm.
“Just tired,” I lied, forcing a smile.
But I knew the truth. Tired wasn’t the problem. The ache in my chest, the gnawing uncertainty, and the pull I still felt toward Zander— that was the problem.
By the time we reached the Ascension Grounds, the morning sun was well above the horizon, and I pushed my thoughts aside, forcing myself to focus.
Zander stood beside Major Kaler, his face like a statue. His shoulders were tense, and there was a sharpness to his gaze that put me on edge. Whatever conversation they’d just had, it hadn’t gone well.
The major gestured toward Thrall Squad, and Zander’s lips thinned before he gave a curt nod and strode in our direction. His eyes flicked across us, hard and assessing.
“We’ve been ordered to check an outpost that was raided,” he said tightly.
Jax crossed his arms. “Which one?”
“Near Amdar,” Zander replied, his gaze sliding to me. “We’ve received a report that says the Order is working with the enemy.”
The words landed like a slap, and my breath hitched. Was that an accusation? The way he was looking at me, like I was suddenly a liability, made my stomach churn.
I hardly noticed the way my squad shifted closer, their bodies closing ranks around me like a protective wall. Jax stood on my left, while Riven took my right. Naia stepped closer too, her hand lingering by her dagger as if she’d cut down anyone who dared try something.
Zander’s expression flickered—not with regret, but something close to frustration—before he turned his gaze toward the isle.
“Call your dragons,” he ordered.
Kaelith’s presence pressed into my mind before I even reached for her. We are flying again? Her voice was calm, but there was a guarded edge beneath it.
We’re checking out an outpost that was raided. It sounds like the Order may have been involved.
A low growl rumbled in my skull. Your father?
I don’t know.
Kaelith’s answer was instant. Then we will find out.
I touched my pendant, feeling the growing pulse of power beneath my fingers, and turned to Zander. His eyes met mine, still cold but somehow softer than before.
It took everything in me to look away and focus on Kaelith’s large form flying toward me.
Our dragons landed with heavy thuds that shook the earth beneath my boots.
Kaelith shifted her weight as Hein dropped to the ground beside her, far too close for her liking.
Her lips curled back in a warning snarl, low and guttural.
Hein responded with a narrow-eyed glare and a low rumble in his chest, but he took a step away, curling his lip as if laughing.
Show-off, Kaelith grumbled.
I tried to hide my smile. You started it.