Twenty-One
Aeryn
I woke slowly, drifting from dreams of Nox into the reality of his arms around me. My eyes blinked open to find him gazing down at me, a soft smile curving his lips.
“How do you feel?” he asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.
“Better.” I stretched, muscles protesting only slightly. “Healing nicely, I think.”
A flicker of guilt crossed his expression. “I am sorry I put you in danger. I never thought Zoriyah would dare to break the rules so blatantly, knowing she”d be disqualified for using her magic like that.”
I pressed a finger to his mouth. “I”m fine. What”s done is done. If it helps, she knew nothing of your father”s assassination. Her only thoughts were of her insane need to do away with me because she was convinced I was the only obstacle in her way.”
He kissed my fingertip and pulled it away from his lips. “She was low on the list of candidates who may have ties to the traitors. She was always desirous of a high station in life, I just never believed she”d go that far.”
“That”s sad.”
Nox quirked an eyebrow.
“She believed herself to be in love with you, that you were meant to be together,” my voice was steady but the words twisted my stomach. “I think it was starting to drive her mad, that she might not be able to win. I can”t imagine that sort of desperation.”
Nox kissed my fingertip again before flattening my palm to his chest. “You”re too forgiving.”
“I don”t think it”s forgiveness but rather, believe it or not, the fact I take no pleasure in thinking of how things played out. I”m relieved that the threat from her is gone, but I didn”t wish her dead.”
A small shudder wracked through me and Nox shifted closer. I stroked the skin over his heart, feeling its strong, steady beat.
Suddenly I was very aware the male was very naked. He”d must have undressed while I was sleeping.
My cheeks warmed at the memory of what he said he would do when he had me in his bed. I could practically feel every hot-blooded touch he”d ever placed on my body.
And the kisses, those life-changing kisses on my heated flesh. My muscles clenched and I grew damp.
Nox inhaled, pectorals flexing under my hand. I wanted his hands on me, his flesh touching mine.
“If the trials hadn”t happened,” I said quietly, “we wouldn”t have met. And without my beast being provoked and, um, stimulated, we might not have … done any of the things we did. Like what we did the last time in my room.”
Nox”s resulting chuckle rumbled between us, eliciting a responding shiver of delight. “No, kitten, I rather think we were headed in that direction regardless of your baast genetics, if that”s what you”re getting at,” amusement dancing in his eyes. “But I”ll admit your beast”s nature did speed things up a bit.”
I hummed at the feel of slight scruff on his jawline as his nose skimmed the side of mine. The innocuous touch was gentle and intimate, yet possessive at the same time.
His soft breath on my skin tickled feather-light, but was full of sensation and promise. The exquisite sensation left me trembling.
“You”re probably right,” I admitted, more to myself than to him. “Though now … I rather wish … well …”
I took a breath, reaching for courage, and picked up my arousal, saturating the heated air.
Shit.
“Say it, kitten,” Nox huskily demanded.
Oh, hell.
“I wish we”d gotten to the speeding up part sooner.” There. I”d said it.
Nox growled and took my mouth, his hands roaming over me in a way that made my blood heat. He pulled me on top of him so I straddled his hips, rubbing my core wantonly over his throbbing flesh.
Instinct was driving me and I didn”t fight it. Everything about his long, lean body, his rippling muscles, felt right.
Giant palms came down on my ass, pressing me down as Nox ground up against me. The tip of his erection poked at my entrance and I wiggled to get more, feeling desperate to know him like this.
Nox stilled my movements. I wiggled again, whining in frustration.
“Fuck, Aeryn. Stop. Just for a minute, stop.”
I pushed up enough to look at his face.
Nox was silent for a long moment. Then, “My family line carries the blood of the umbral line of baast fae. The ability manifests differently in each generation. For example, in me, it allows me to sense others like me before they come into their power.”
“What are you trying to tell me, Nox?”
He rolled me to my side and slipped out of bed. I finally saw every inch of him in all its masculine glory. Sinewy muscles from head to toe. The sleeve of tattoos covering his shoulder and arm, making him look even more intimidating and dangerous.
And his enormous erection. Hard and thick, every bit as virile as I”d imagined. The head was wide, the length pointing to the sky. I licked my lips, curious what it would feel like in my mouth. In my—
“Let me get this out, little menace, and if you still want it when I”m done you can have it.”
We were back to little menace. I sat up, keeping the sheet tucked around me. In his arms, I”d been brave. Across the distance from him, not so much.
Nox took a breath. “My beast didn”t just recognize yours, Aeryn. When I kissed you, it decided your baast would be its mate.”
His declaration stole the oxygen from my lungs. The wild rose up and I could feel it looking out at the king, giving him its full attention.
“Its mate?” I whispered.
He gave me a sharp nod.
“You”re saying we”re mates, that your umbral decided because of some animal instinct?”
“Yes, but also because it sensed how much I desired you. When you came forward in the village square demanding I take you instead of Sofiya, something about you—you, Aeryn, not your baast—struck truer than any blade or arrow ever could have. I didn”t understand it. Or react well to it. I experienced a moment where I was afraid all of my plans would be ruined. But I couldn”t leave you there. I just couldn”t. So I had Lorne and Liam toss you in the carriage, intending to figure it out later.”
I”d hated the rider for taking us both, for his harsh treatment. Yet, it was almost romantic, in some dark, warped way.
“Aeryn,” Nox said pointedly. “My umbral won”t let you go once it”s had you. Hell, I won”t be able to let you leave me, either. If you cannot—”
“Show me.” The words were out before I could stop them.
Nox tilted his head in that way felines did when they were studying something, or listening especially hard. It was definitely more animal than fae and I wondered how I”d never noticed before.
He might kill me for it, but my gut said to show no mercy. “Go on, Your Majesty. Show me your kitty-kat.”
He eyed me, blatant need and desire written across his face. “That sounded very dirty, little hellion, and more like something I should be saying to you. But what my kitten wants, I intend for her to have.”
Nox took a deep breath and closed his eyes. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then I noticed a sort of rippling around the edges of his body, like a heat mirage. It intensified until he appeared somehow less solid, as if seen through a veil.
His skin darkened, the slightest hint of extremely short fur covering him. His facial features grew more feline with sharp and edgy lines. His eyes narrowed and slanted. Muscles bulged and I swore his erection grew bigger.
Nothing else changed. He was still on two legs, still held the shape of a fae. It was like he was in costume. Or animal-like armor. Which, in a way it was.
When Nox opened his eyes again, they glowed with an eerie amber light. A chill raced down my spine at the sight of the umbral peering back at me.
I”d seen the beast in his eyes before, only I hadn”t known it was real. He was frighteningly beautiful in this form. I wanted him. I wanted Nox and his beast.
I let the sheet fall to my hips. The umbral emitted a low vibration from its chest. Approval. I knew it was approval.
Suddenly Nox shifted back and gazed at me with such heat and raw affection it made my chest ache as much as my center.
“Are you mine, kitten?” he prowled back to the bed, stroking his cock provocatively.
The musky scent of his arousal filled my nose, earthy and masculine. I could imagine taking him in my mouth, imagine how it would feel to roll my tongue over the tip and taste him.
I licked my lips, and he groaned. I licked my lips again.
“Answer me, Aeryn. Tell me your mine.”
“I”m yours,” I professed, reaching out, the heat of lust burning off any trepidation I may have once had.
“Fuck yes, you are.”
Nox hissed as my fingers curled around his warm, silky flesh. So hot, so smooth. The softest skin stretched tight over hard steel, unlike anything I”d ever touched before.
Not even the thickness of his girth or intimidating length cooled my ardor. I clenched my thighs together as I reveled in the feel of him.
“Look at me,” he demanded in a tone that had my beast ready to submit.
Nox”s jaw was clenched, watching through slitted lids as I continued to stroke and squeeze. Suddenly, I wanted to taste him. I had to.
Holding his gaze, my thumb traced the sculpted tip, then I did the same with my tongue. His hips jerked so I did it again.
“Take me in your mouth, kitten.”
I closed my lips around the head of his cock, humming at the taste of his skin. The wild—my baast—pushed me further down his length, then back again, purring from the depths of my throat.
“Easy,” he breathed. “If you move too much I”ll come and I”m not ready for that.”
Nox guided my head back and forth, feeding me with slow, languid strokes. He”d decided to control the tempo, and I wasn”t about to argue.
“You like this, don”t you?” he asked heatedly.
I hummed again in agreement, glancing up to catch the predatory gleam in his eyes.
“Wicked thing,” he praised, pulling out completely. “Lie back.”
Nox”s body followed mine, kissing me with a slow, searching passion that made me feel desired. When he drew back, I slid my hands up his chest, marveling at the display of muscle under smooth, heated skin.
“Are you going to claim me now?”
A wicked gleam lit his eyes. “If my female demands it.”
“Your female demands it,” I said, my voice unrecognizable, husky with longing, driven by instinct.
Nox”s smile turned feral. He gripped my hips, lowering so I was pinned beneath the hard length of his body, helpless to do anything but arch into him with a gasp.
“As you wish, kitten.”
He claimed my mouth in a bruising kiss, all restraint gone as his hands roamed my body. I opened for him eagerly, twining my arms around his neck to pull him closer. Our tongues danced and dueled, stoking the fire in my blood until I was dizzy with want.
Nox shifted, his thigh sliding between my legs to press against my sex. I rocked my hips with a moan, craving the delicious friction, and he growled his approval against my lips.
I moved against him in a rhythm as old as time itself. His hand drifted between us, seeking and finding my most sensitive places.
“Before this night is over, I will have wrung every ounce of pleasure from your sweet body, little mate. And you will scream my name.”
Nox lowered his head, lips trailing fire down my throat as his hands cupped my breasts. I arched into his touch with a gasp when his thumbs brushed over my nipples, the sensitive peaks tightening almost painfully.
“I love the sounds you make when I touch you,” he murmured against my skin.
His lips closed over one nipple and sucked firmly, shooting sparks of pleasure straight to my core. I tangled my fingers in his hair, holding him there as he lavished attention on my breasts until I was squirming beneath him.
When Nox lifted his head, his eyes were heavy-lidded and dark with desire. “Your arousal drives me mad. I want to taste it.”
Heat flooded my cheeks even as lust spiked through my veins. I was soaked like never before. I started to protest but Nox shifted down my body in an ardent blur, settling between my thighs before I could form a coherent thought.
My embarrassment fled under the onslaught of sensation as Nox stroked his tongue through my folds, teasing and tasting until I thought I, too, might go mad.
“Nox!” I cried out, fisting the sheets under me. “Damn you!”
His laughter vibrated against sensitive flesh and I gasped, back arching off the bed. “I have to make sure you”re ready. Trust me to take care of you.”
My heart thumped. Emotions threatened to overtake my composure.
Nox slid one finger and then another into my body, crooking them to stroke some hidden place inside me that shattered my world into starbursts of pleasure.
When he finally rose over me, I was boneless and breathless, heart pounding wildly in my chest. Nox nuzzled my throat, the evidence of his desire hot and heavy against my hip.
“No resting yet,” he purred, nipping at my earlobe. “We”ve only just begun.”
A fierce possessiveness ignited inside me, matching Nox”s own. I fisted my hands in his hair, and yanked his face to mine, pouring my emotions into the kiss.
That low bass rumbling came back to his chest. “Spread your legs wide for me,” he rasped.
I obeyed, both anxious and excited for what came next.
“Now guide me.”
Reaching down, I grabbed his swollen shaft, stroking it once. His hand covered mine, helping me align it to my opening. The tip breached then slid back. He continued teasing me for several more shallow thrusts.
It wasn”t enough. I felt empty. Wanting. Crazed. The wild growled with displeasure.
I could hear his heart racing, his breaths coming in ragged pants as he held himself back.
“I won”t break, Nox.”
“Aeryn—”
“Do it. Claim me as yours.”
His umbral surfaced behind his eyes. A heartbeat passed between us and he slammed deep, stretching me open as he howled in sweet agony.
The walls of my sex clenched around his length, a delicious contrast to the bite of pain.
I was full. Completely filled by this male, by my mate. The feeling was almost too much to bear. He was buried inside me to the hilt, his body trembling above mine.
Nox let his weight come down, securing me to the mattress as he rocked above me. The pain quickly turned into pleasure. I dug my nails into his back, wanting more, wanting it all.
Nox moved my arms to either side of my head, joining our hands, squeezing my fingers between his. His hips reangled, drawing back slowly, then surged forward, making me gasp with pleasure.
Again. And again. And again.
The rhythm became faster, harder, until I was wound so tight tears fell from my eyes. Nox licked them away, murmuring reverently to me as he did.
He told me how good I felt. How beautiful I was. How much he wanted to keep me forever.
My entire world was the heat of our bodies, the sounds of our labored breathing, the feel of him moving inside me as he spoke in the way lovers did.
I lifted my legs, linking my ankles behind him, taking him deeper. His pubic bone pressed into my clit. I shivered at the delicious friction.
My mouth fell open in a silent cry as my body seized, contracting in a climax so strong my vision went dark. The wild demanded I bite him. Blindly, I sank my teeth into his flesh.
Nox roared, clutching me to him, joining me in the torrent of pleasure, our bodies slick with sweat as my sex milked his cock of its seed. His canines punctured where my neck met shoulder.
An electric current shot through my body and something locked into place. I felt settled. Complete. The wild curled up in contentment.
His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath while I lay limp under him, unable to move.
Damn, but he was heavy. I heaved out a sigh. “Nox.”
He raised his head. “I hope you”re not getting ready to ask for a reprieve, little mate. I warned you earlier.”
My chest shook and I fought a grin. “Of course not. I was merely hoping for oxygen.”
“Am I too heavy? Eaten too many treats?” he feigned insult.
“Maybe.”
He rolled us so I was on top, straddling his hips while he was still inside me. “Better?” he rubbed his nose against mine.
“Maybe.”
“Saucy kitten.” Nox brushed my hair away, revealing his bite.
He winced. “How bad does it hurt?”
“Hardly at all. It must be the aftermath of our lovemaking,” I grinned.
“It will always be there, Aeryn.” His eyes were soft, sexy, and serious. He rubbed the skin around the edges with the pad of a finger.
“What?” I asked, looking at the matching bite I left on him, intrigued at the idea of his skin carrying my bite forever.
“I should have explained. I hadn”t planned to mark you like that tonight. I got carried away.”
“I bit you first.”
“You did and it was one of the best moments of my existence. I just want to make sure you”re clear on what it means.”
“I already told you I was yours, Nox. I assume this is just further evidence of it.”
“It”s also a warning to others to keep their hands off you.”
I tilted my head. “And it means the same for you?”
“It does.”
“Good.”
“Aeryn, this ties us together tighter than any marriage vow. I know you felt the bond snap in place.”
I huffed. I knew fae could have metaphysical bonds with varying degrees of connection. Carrying shifter-like magic in our blood would, of course, have even deeper implications.
Fae could form bonds. They just weren”t as intense as those between beasts. How our fae sides tended to our bond determined how much of each other we would feel.
“Are you trying to make me regret it?” I asked. “Or scare me off?”
“No. I simply don”t want you to regret it or think I tricked you in any way. We didn”t exactly have a clean start.”
The vulnerability in his tone slayed me. “I don”t regret it, Nox. Not one little bit. So please stop whining and give me what you promised.”
A flash of gold rolled across his eyes. A warning vibration reverberated in his throat. “Careful what you ask for, love, especially when I”m inclined to give it to you.”
Nox rolled us again and did, indeed, wring every ounce of pleasure from my body.
Hours later, I woke to the warm weight of Nox”s arm draped over my waist. For a few blissful moments, I simply enjoyed the sensation of his skin against mine, our limbs still entangled from a night of passion and pleasure beyond anything I could have imagined.
Nox stirred behind me, his breath tickling the sensitive skin of my neck. “How do you fare this morning, my mate?”
Heat flooded my cheeks at his intimate address, though I couldn”t deny the thrill those words evoked. I turned in his arms to find his gaze solemn, a hint of uncertainty lurking in the depths of his smoke-gray eyes.
“Well-enough, though I may require assistance rising at first.” I flashed a teasing smile, easing the tension in his expression. “You were rather enthusiastic in your attentions last night.”
Nox”s lips curved in a wicked grin. “And did I not warn you we had only just begun?”
His gaze turned predatory, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. “There are many more nights ahead for me to explore every inch of you, love.”
I sighed, loving how easily he used that word, nuzzling into the warmth of his chest. It wasn”t a declaration, but it was close.
“As enjoyable as that sounds,” I said, “we have more pressing concerns. We have trials to finish and conspirators to find before they act again.”
Nox tensed, his arms tightening around me almost painfully. “No. I will not allow you to be harmed again, Aeryn. The trials are over.”
I pushed up onto my elbows, staring down into his stubborn expression. “We can”t stop now. Whoever killed your father is still out there, Nox, and until we find them, none of us are safe. Not you, not your siblings, and certainly not me.”
“And what if the next attack kills you?” Nox demanded, his control slipping to reveal the fear lurking beneath. “I cannot lose you, Aeryn, not when I”ve only just found you.”
My chest ached at the anguish in his voice. I cupped his cheek, forcing Nox to meet my gaze. “I”ll be careful. I have the ability to help, so let me.”
I leaned down, brushing my lips over his in a sweet, lingering kiss. “Please.”
Nox sighed, the fight leaving him as he pulled me close once more. “Stubborn, maddening female. The trials are over. I am ending them for good. Our children will never be part of such nonsense.”
I blinked, dumbfounded. I”d never given thought to having a family, never believed it was possible for me. I”d never bring a baby into the world to work the tiny acreage of land and wonder if that was all there was to life.
“However,” he continued. “As tradition dictates, I have invited the families to retrieve their daughters from Falcondale. I”ll talk to Lorne about how to best introduce you to them. I don”t think you”ll be a target once I tell them I”m ending the tradition. Their sights will be back on the Scullbrook line.”
I didn”t like how casually he said that. But it was his reality. Our reality. So I”d help him.
“By introduce you mean for me to touch hands with them.”
“I”m considering it. Lorne and I will discuss and see what we can come up with. Though my umbral is riding me hard about locking you up so don”t push. Understood?”
Victory swelled in my chest, filling me with purpose. “Perfectly, Your Majesty.”
Nox nipped my neck and spent the next hour proving that he was the one in charge.
Nox insisted I remain confined to his chambers for another day while my chest finished healing completely. Though the urge to continue investigating gnawed at me, I couldn”t deny the appeal of being surrounded by Nox”s scent and presence.
We talked for hours, curled up before the fireplace, exchanging stories of our childhoods and learning more about each other beyond the surface details. Nox traced idle patterns over my skin, his touch both soothing my body and igniting my blood.
When he thought I wasn”t paying attention, I”d catch Nox gazing at me with wonder, as if he couldn”t quite believe I was there with him. Each time our eyes met, his lips would curve into a besotted smile that made my heart skip.
Being with Nox felt natural in a way I never expected. We fit together seamlessly, balancing each other in our playful banter and more serious discussions. A deep bond was forging between us, solidified by our physical intimacy and growing affection.
Though still struggling to believe this was my new reality, I found myself imagining a life with Nox. Not the distant someday future, but a real future, one already begun where we faced each challenge side by side.
I was terrified it would be taken from me.
Nox brushed his knuckles down my cheek, snapping me from my thoughts. “Aeryn, I can almost see the gears turning in that clever mind of yours. What are you thinking?”
I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze. “That I”m happy here with you.”
Nox”s eyes softened, glimmering with emotion. “As am I, love. You have brought light back into my world.”
I didn”t know how to respond when he said things like that.
“You blush so beautifully, little mate, especially when I compliment you.”
He cupped my face in his hands, his kiss demanding. I responded in kind, clutching at his shoulders as our tongues dueled.
Nox slid his hands down to grip my hips, hauling me up against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, craving the hard press of his body against mine.
“Bed,” Nox growled against my lips. “Now.”
I nodded, beyond words. Nox carried me to the bed, laying my back on the soft linens. He followed me down, blanketing my body with his.
“My fierce female,” Nox purred, trailing hot kisses down my neck. “I”ll never get enough.”
Our joining was as all-consuming as the future I dreamt of. And when the fires of our lust died down, I fell asleep in Nox”s arms, more content than I”d ever been.
I wouldn”t allow anyone to take him from me.