Chapter 35
Volik
My mate relaxes. Her muscles soften. And I stay where I am.
Over her.
Inside her.
I inhale, filling my lungs with her scent.
I could feel her nervousness. Could tell, a moment ago, when she started to think about what just happened.
I could feel it. In my chest. As our hearts stuttered.
But then it calmed. She calmed. And I feel so grateful for her acceptance.
I hope she continues to feel this way.
Hope she keeps trusting her instincts.
I will tell her everything I know, answer anything she asks. Because we belong to each other.
And I will never let her go.
Not ever.
But I will not scare her.
I will never scare my Nix.
My Goddess.
My Flower.
My Only.
I will only ever care for her.
Safeguard her.
Annihilate for her.
My lips pull up into a smile against her skin.
My mate.
I can feel the strain of so much new power pulling me under.
Sleep is rare for my kind, not necessary in the same way it is for humans. But it’s tugging at the edges of my mind.
I drag my tongue up the side of Nix’s neck, tasting her, keeping myself awake. Because before I follow her into the unconscious, I need to care for her first.
My movements are slow as I lift my body off Nix.
Gentle as I start to pull my cock free from her heat.
We are two halves. We fit.
But it’s snug.
And my mate…
A purr rolls through me.
My mate waited for me. She’s never been stretched before. Never been filled by anyone but me.
So I take my time dragging myself out of her.
And when her slippery hole finally releases me, I shift down her body.
My cock is still hard. And I imagine it will be, constantly, for a while. But right now is not about me.
It’s about cleaning my girl.
With my knees on the floor, pieces of the broken bed frame groaning beneath my weight, I lower my mouth.
She tastes like us.
Like a summer dessert.
Her eyes stay closed.
But she moans.
Just a little sound. A confirmation of pleasure. Approval.
I lap at her, consuming the mess we made.
I do not linger on her perfect little bundle of indulgence like I want to, because I do not want to wake her.
She needs to rest.
One more lick. One more swallow. Then I crawl back up the mattress.
I turn her onto her side and press my front to her back.
Naked. Skin to skin—mine superheated, hers cool by comparison.
I hook my leg over hers.
I slide my arm under her head so she can use me as a pillow. Then I drape my other arm over her side.
I hold her close, curl my bulk over her body.
I make myself into her shield.
Because that is what I am.
From now until the end.
I press my mouth against her hair.
My lips pull into another smile because our end is so far away.
We have so long.
So much time to be together.
And it starts today.