Chapter Eighteen
Theodor
Mine at Last
Theodor’s core ignited hotter than that fucking grand fireplace. It was about damn time. He’d pursued Boraleashe for many moons, yet he’d always turned cold and pushed him away.
Boraleashe allowed him to keep the firm grip around his waist and his other hand cupping his pale cheek.
Theodor got lost gazing into Boraleashe’s wounded eyes.
Eyes that should’ve shone as brilliant as the diamonds in his sword.
Instead, they were a solemn shade of blue, like the dreary overcast that’d settled over Amárach a hundred years ago.
Theodor swore to fix that soon. Boraleashe was his.
“You will no longer deny me.” It wasn’t a question.
Boraleashe shivered against him. His arms hung at his side as if he were awaiting instructions.
Mmmm. Theodor’s eyes fell to that pretty mouth again.
It was hard for him not to fantasize. Theodor remembered his father and Dustin—who was from the earth realm—telling him that mouth touching was a unique and tantalizing form of affection.
It wasn’t the titan way, but being only inches away from Boraleashe’s plump bottom lip was making Theodor consider trying it… soon.
“I can no longer deny you, my lord, no more than I can deny my own breath.”
Theodor reveled in that confession. “Put your arms around me.”
Arms with every sinewy muscle tensed slid over his shoulders. Boraleashe’s gaze was cast down, and Theodor could see his pulse throbbing under his skin.
“Relax,” he demanded, stroking his hand over Boraleashe’s wet hair, which smelled of winter. He pressed his mouth near Boraleashe’s ear. “You smell heavenly.”
“You smell…” Boraleashe hesitated for a long moment before he rumbled, “Your scent weakens me.”
Theodor groaned. Boraleashe’s voice was low and controlled, a combination that always turned him on. “How do I smell to you?”
Boraleashe’s lips grazed his throat when he answered, “You smell like victory and glory.”
Theodor’s head spun at those words, words that were the grandest praise to any titan.
He and Boraleashe stayed silent for a long, heat-fueled moment.
Theodor didn’t mind the silence. It felt so damn good to have the man he’d always wanted submitting in his arms. It’d taken almost a century of torturous patience, but his faith in the gods had been rewarded.
Everyone from his father to his personal aide tried to convince Theodor to let Boraleashe go and entertain one of the many suitors begging for an opportunity to marry a future king.
But Theodor didn’t want any old beautiful but spineless consort trailing behind him.
If he was to be a great titan of Fhomhair, he needed a strong, disciplined warrior at his side.
His true partner, his equal in every way.
It was unheard of for two titans to wed, especially two commanders of the cardinal winds. A titan needed love to touch their core, to stabilize and balance them. No one believed Boraleashe’s frozen heart was a risk that the Treasure of the Realms should be taking.
Boraleashe inched back and gazed deep into Theodor’s eyes, his brows low and eyes narrowed.
“Boraleashe. You can ask me anything. I’ll withhold nothing from you.
” Theodor struggled to keep his focus with the head on his shoulders and not the one between his thighs, but Boraleashe’s wet, naked, pale body had his cock harder than the steel of his sword.
And gods above, he could feel just how much Boraleashe wanted him too, but it appeared that he needed to know something first.
“Why me, Theodor? Why have you pursued me so vehemently, despite my ways.” Boraleashe’s voice was as silken as his pearly mane.
“Despite my numerous rejections. You could have your pick of anyone in all the kingdoms. Why are you so insistent on me, lord? I thought I was far too ill-tempered and old to hold your interest?”
Gods, does he really not know? Theodor barely withheld his confused chuckle.
He rested one hand behind Boraleashe’s neck, the other at the small of his back, keeping him close.
Theodor didn’t bother to withhold how good Boraleashe made him feel.
His skin was flushed a beautiful rose pink, and it wasn’t because of the heated water.
Eyes hooded and breath labored, Boraleashe held Theodor’s gaze, demanding his answer.
“Because I only want the best, Boraleashe. I don’t need a blushing bride to fawn over me or to wed a prince of a territory who will probably turn out to have major emasculation complexes.
I want… no… I need a confidant who will challenge me, go to war beside me, the kind of consort I can entrust with my kingdom.
” Theodor hoped Boraleashe could see the admiration in his eyes, hear it in his voice.
“I know of all your battles and your sacrifices to those who couldn’t defend themselves.
My father would describe in great detail what it was like having you as a brother in arms, as a horseman.
You are the elite, Boraleashe, sheer perfection. That is why I gave my heart to you.”
“And you do not care that I’m—”
Theodor loosened his grip with tenderness. “Your age means shit to me. You know our appearance and stamina are not measured in numbers. You are just as gorgeous and fierce as you were a thousand years ago, Boraleashe… more.”
Boraleashe was the one meant for him; he’d seen it written in the stars ages ago. Together, they could create a force that would rival the gods. The north and south winds combined.
He prayed that answer was satisfying enough, but when Boraleashe didn’t make a move, his beautiful face still a mask of indifference, Theodor tried not to panic.
“Was that the answer you were—”
Theodor was caught off guard when he was thrown backward into the tub with a force of freezing wind. The strength of it slammed Boraleashe into his chest, their bodies colliding and holding together so tightly he could feel Boraleashe’s core throbbing to get free.
Boraleashe pushed his face under his chin and inhaled. “I will no longer resist you, my lord. I cannot. My heart may be hardened, but I feel enough to know that I want this night with you, even if it is my last. I have faith in you.”
Theodor didn’t come this far to lose his love now.
He leaned forward and breathed in that special scent of pine and cedar in Boraleashe’s hair and called on the wind from his center.
Sun-kissed air streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a lot less haphazard than his warrior’s but no less intense when it caressed him.
Boraleashe let out a sweet gust of breath along the damp skin over Theodor’s throat.
“That’s it… let me all the way in this time. You must trust me.”
“I will.”
Boraleashe was a poet of minimalism. But that was enough for Theodor. He connected their streams of air, intertwining them and infusing it with heat from his realm, creating a delicate blend of winter and autumn.
In the deepest end of the tub, Theodor hefted Boraleashe, wrapped his firm thighs around his waist, and carried him toward the steps. He wanted Boraleashe to feel all of him, and they couldn’t do that submerged in five feet of water.
Theodor released his hold and let Boraleashe’s feet touch the floor so he could walk them toward the oversized chaise lounge near the fireplace.
He laid Boraleashe on the plush cushions and settled on top of him.
Boraleashe strained, his mouth parted in a silent cry.
Theodor laved at Boraleashe’s throat, the taste of his submission driving him mad.
Need slammed into him, but he maintained tight control.
Boraleashe felt better than he ever could’ve imagined.
He slowly spread his thighs in silent invitation and allowed Theodor even closer.
His breath rushed out of him as Boraleashe’s porcelain skin glowed in the fire’s golden light.
Theodor glided his palm over the faint red welts on Boraleashe’s abdomen.
Glorious.
Theodor’s cock was pressed against Boraleashe’s, hot, thick, and throbbing.
He let his wind in full force, directing it around Boraleashe’s, making heat stroke him in his most sensitive places.
Boraleashe gritted his teeth, but it wasn’t enough to stop the salacious moan as he dug his blunt fingernails into his back.
Theodor eased up on his power and pushed a gentle breeze across Boraleashe’s parted lips, an erotic hint of the kisses he wanted to place there soon.
He’d teach Boraleashe all the ways he knew how to show his love.
Theodor sent a cyclone of heat around Boraleashe’s throat, his Adam’s apple dipping in response.
After demonstrating his ability to manipulate his element into physical touch, Theodor moved it down Boraleashe’s chest and stopped just over his heart.
Boraleashe’s gaze was locked onto his with startling arctic-blue eyes that were now bluer than the god of the sea after his confession of faith.
Theodor lowered his mouth to Boraleashe’s ear, his voice grating and full of emotion. “Open yourself to me, Boraleashe.” Theodor ground his hips down harder. “All the way.”
Boraleashe arched his core in Theodor’s direction, grunting hard enough to vibrate their chests. He had to ignore how much his dick was throbbing to be buried inside Boraleashe’s body, needing to fulfill his duty first.