Chapter 55 #2
“Get up and turn around,” I murmured darkly.
She obeyed, unwrapping the leather strap from her wrist and twisting her hair on top of her head.
When her hands dropped away, I guided her to lie at the edge of the bed, facing me.
She looked up at me through long, silvery lashes.
“I want to fuck your mouth. Can you handle that?”
“I’m first class in Vaela?,” she reminded me, a smirk rising to her lips. “I can handle anything.”
I curved over her, rolling her nipples between my fingers. Her jaw dropped, and a small gasp caught in her throat. “That’s my good girl.” Releasing her, I gripped myself and pumped a few times, not wanting to ruin her mouth with my thinning control.
She shuffled backward, head hanging, and licked her lips.
My nostrils flared at the sight. I swiped my head at the seam, and her tongue flicked out to taste the bead of moisture leaking from me. “Sylaira,” I rasped as she repeated the motion. She opened wider, and I hesitated, chest heaving, snatching for threads of restraint.
“You’re not going to hurt me,” she pressed into my mind.
That was all I needed to shove all the way to her throat. She gagged, choking my cock. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as I retreated. But her hands flew up and gripped my thighs, dragging me closer again.
Pleasure rolled down my spine as she sucked the full length of me. I braced my hands on the post over my head, finding a rhythm with my hips. Her moans vibrated my dick, making me see stars.
“Fuck, your mouth,” I groaned, my pace quickening. “You were made to take me like this.”
She hummed her agreement, and I had to clench my jaw to keep from spilling down her throat.
“Look at me,” I commanded into her mind, because my lips no longer had function—not with the expert way she swallowed me down.
The world melted away as we stared into each other’s souls. My heart thundered against my ribs as she gagged, then reached around to stroke my balls.
My hips stuttered as ecstasy ricocheted up my spine.
“That’s my girl,” I crooned, nails digging into wood. Anything to ground myself. Anything to prevent the orgasm that waited to pounce.
I wasn’t ready to surrender to reality so soon.
Teeth gritted, I found a slower rhythm, allowing Sylaira a moment to breathe. Air ghosted over my heated skin as her nostrils flared. But she didn’t release me, instead working over the tip with her tongue.
Once she no longer struggled, I picked up my pace, slamming into her mouth over and over. She swallowed me down, throat tightening around me.
“Sylaira, Sylaira, Sylaira,” I chanted her name like a prayer.
Because in this moment, she was sacred. Celestial. Hallowed.
Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to crave.
“Yours,” she whispered back, and fuck, that single word broke me.
Heat licked down my spine. My balls tightened. And then, my cum shot out of me before I could give her any warning. Her throat worked, taking all of me down.
“Fuck,” I swore, dick throbbing. She licked it clean, pumping the base of my shaft to ensure she swallowed every last drop.
Until finally I could take no more. I cupped the back of her head and eased myself out. Saliva still connected us until I swiped the string from my mate’s swollen lips. “So fucking perfect,” I praised.
She swallowed, heaving in breaths, as I helped her sit upright. She fell into my chest, fingers resting over the scar over my heart.
DUTY ABOVE ALL
The words burned at the visceral reminder.
Gathering Sylaira in my arms, I guided us to the headboard, so my large body curled around hers. I gritted my teeth and tipped my head toward the ceiling now that she couldn’t see. Searched for answers among the canopy. Opened my heart to the Goddess to hear my prayer.
I’ve done my duty to my sister. To my realm. And I’m fucking trying to my mate. Why do you make it impossible, Radiant Mother?
Of course, she didn’t fucking answer me.
If you have any love for your blessed you’ll ensure I lose the trial by light. There is no other option.
“Are you feeling better now?” Sylaira asked, her melodic voice soothing and drawing me out of my inner spiral.
“With you in my arms like this, I am always a better male,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Crushed ghostflower intoxicated me, and I welcomed the dizzying scent.
We remained like that, me wrapped around her, her relaxing into me, long after my heart ceased its staccato rhythm.
I didn’t want the peace to end. I didn’t want to face the battle beyond the walls of my room. But as I glanced at the clock, I realized I was out of time. The minutes I’d stolen with Sylaira had run out.
“The Korona expects you in the Divine Atrium today,” I told her as gently as I could.
She sucked in a sharp breath, fear lacing our bond. “I can’t.”
“You must.” I hated that she had to go. Hated that I would have to drag her there if it came down to it. “We can’t push her any further right now. Not with the trial tomorrow.”
A whimper lodged in her throat. My arms tightened around her. “I will do anything to protect you, little fugitive. Anything. My plan will work. We’ll be free of this soon enough.”
She tilted her head back, the twist she’d secured earlier a tangled mess. “Promise?”
“I promise.” I curved down and slanted my lips over hers one last time. “I will walk you there. Unfortunately, I must accompany another priestess into Sivy today. I’ll be home before dark though.”
She nodded, easing forward. Every muscle protested as I forced them to surrender their hold on her. I crawled out of bed after her, tracking her every movement as we dressed for the day.
No longer was I the predator and she my prey.
My watching these days was that of a male desperate to do anything to save his mate.
Three days until I could take Sylaira and leave this place. One day until the trial.
In the midst of war, I couldn’t afford to win.