Chapter 18
Aella
With a dizzying jolt, I had control. The goddess moved to the back of my mind, still a presence, but not intrusive. I stared into Darrow’s eyes, recognizing the moment he took over his body. It was a mixture of familiarity, concern, and deep caring.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “I want this to be special for us.”
His expression turned tender, and a lump formed in my throat. He’d never looked at me that way before. In this moment, with a broader range of emotions available, he was able to give me some of the feelings I craved. It was heart-wrenching.
I reached up and cupped his face. “This is a hint of the real you.”
“I believe it is,” he agreed, pressing a kiss to my palm. “We still have much to learn from each other, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to win you over.”
Biting my lip, I decided to test that vow. “Tell me a secret.”
“I can teleport,” he said without hesitation.
My eyes rounded, both at the fact that he complied so easily and at what he’d said. “You can? Like your uncle?”
“Yes. My mother can do it as well, but not my sister.”
I traced the lines of his face. “Are you holding a lot of secrets back from me?”
He hesitated, frustration in his eyes. “Many. Some are not mine to reveal, others I’m under sworn oath not to tell, and there are things too painful to speak about.”
“Like your time in Karganoth?” I asked.
He brushed a wet lock of hair from my face. “Yes. I also have a network of spies, and they rely on my secrecy to protect them from being caught.”
“I would never betray you,” I said, hoping he understood that.
He looked deep into my eyes. “I know, but you are better off not knowing some things yet. I’ll tell you what I can, when I can.”
He was being more open, so for now, I’d take what he would give.
“Alright.” There was only one question left for now. “Do you think you could ever love me?”
He smiled. “You enchant me, Aella. I think I’m already halfway there with the way my thoughts always turn to you.
If you are nearby, I can’t help watching you.
It kills me how you hold me back from touching and holding you outside of sex.
I want you by my side at all times. If not for the curse, perhaps I’d already be in love with you, and if we break it, most certainly I’ll fall hard.
You are too incredible for it not to happen. ”
My chest tightened, and tears filled my eyes. I was getting a glimpse of the Darrow I could have if we retrieved the fountain. It was incredible, yet painful to know I’d likely lose this openness after the gods released us. Still, I was grateful for what I could get.
“You really believe you’ll feel that strongly,” I said, tracing his lips.
Darrow chuckled. “Do you think I’d clear dead bodies and limbs from a murderous garden for just anyone?”
“After seeing your trials in Karganoth, how do I know you aren’t an expert at it?” I asked, lifting a brow.
He let out a carefree laugh that I’d never heard from him before. “You have a way of brightening even the worst memories. Keep that up, and I’ll be fully in love with you when my curse is lifted.”
“Then you’ll have to brighten my worst days.” For once, I didn’t hide the deep pain I kept hidden from the world and let him see it. “I fear I may be broken after everything my uncle and cousin did to me.”
“I will do all I can to help you heal, Aella. Even with the curse, I desperately want you happy.” His words were so genuine that it was almost painful to hear them.
“Convince me it’s possible, Dare,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “Make me forget the rest of the world for a little while, all the pain and betrayal, and show me that right now is all that matters.”
“With pleasure,” he said, gaze heating with lust.
His lips crashed onto mine, scorching me with his raw desire. The way he kissed me was like I was his entire world, and he didn’t want to be anywhere else. We touched and rubbed against each other, as if trying to become one.
The gods lurked in the background like shadowy figures. They didn’t interfere, but we could feel their love shining through, guiding and heightening the feelings between us. For a short while, I could believe we would love this way someday and that it was possible.
Darrow passionately kissed his way up and down my body, ravishing my breasts with nibbles and licks that were far gentler than in the past. He did all the things I usually refused to let him do because I had promised the goddess I wouldn’t hold back if I wanted to forge the bond. It drove me wild with need.
We writhed against each other, rolling back and forth across the sand as we tried to reach every intimate place. I caressed the contours of my husband’s muscles, admiring them in ways I hadn’t let myself before.
For once, I took my time and didn’t rush anything. There was so much of him to explore. Running my gaze over Darrow as I straddled him, I wondered about the scars on his chest and hoped eventually he’d tell me his version of the event. For now, I leaned down to kiss and lick a path across them.
When I finished, he shifted back on top of me. “Someday, we’ll know all each other’s secrets.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
His gray eyes were so intense it was hard to believe he’d been my enemy a matter of months ago. “I want to be inside you now.”
“Then, what are you waiting for?” I asked.
He kissed me deeply one more time while pulling my legs over his hips and positioning himself. As he drew back to stare down at me, he plunged inside. I cried out as he filled me so completely I thought I might burst.
His cock was harder and fuller than usual, crackling with tantalizing energy against the walls of my pussy, courtesy of the god power flowing through him. He began slowly at first, allowing me to adjust and rained kisses across my face. They were so tender it took my breath away.
The tide was coming in as he moved inside me, the cool water rising higher up the beach. It washed up to my waist now, but I didn’t care. It licked at my skin, keeping it from overheating under the blazing sun and Darrow’s sensual lovemaking.
He continued his slow pace until the water neared my shoulders, and then he sped up, pounding into me so hard it shoved me up the sand.
The intense look in his eyes never left.
His entire focus was on me, and I reveled in it.
I panted with the glide of his cock moving in and out to the beat of our hearts, and the way our passions rose higher and higher with each thrust. I arched my hips, needing more.
He ground into me. I moaned and clutched at his shoulders, digging my nails into him.
“I’m getting close,” I said in a breathy whisper.
He drew in a deep breath. “As am I.”
The gods were guiding our emotions into breathtaking intensity with their own.
I gasped at the feelings overwhelming my mind as Darrow kept his thrusts short so that he could stay as deep as possible.
It connected us at every level down to our souls.
We were heading toward something new and different as the threads of our mating bond reached for each other.
Terror started taking over my thoughts. What was I thinking? Could I handle it? Even without loving him, a full mating bond would bring us closer. Maybe I wouldn’t be able to resist, or maybe I was too traumatized by my family to make it work. These feelings were too much.
I couldn’t speak my fears aloud, so I sent them to Darrow. I’m scared.
Of course, you are, but I’m here. I’ll always be here, no matter what, even if you choose never to love me. His gaze was intense as his thrusts grew erratic with his pleasure close. Just promise you won’t ever leave, and I’ll accept that as enough.
Life without him suddenly seemed unimaginable. I promise, Dare.
Then come with me, he said as he locked his body to mine.
The pressure was so intense as he swelled with release that I could hardly breathe, and then it burst. “Dare!”
I went blind to the sensations that scorched every part of me as the fire of an orgasm that had no limit hit.
It swelled to a fever pitch as I squeezed Darrow’s cock inside me.
He was shouting, though I had no idea whether he actually said any intelligible words.
I only knew we were connected physically and mentally, and that a tenuous tether was forming between our souls.
In my mind’s eye, it was sparkly white as my end touched his.
The gods were chanting inside our minds, helping the threads join, but they weren’t quite fusing as they should.
My pussy pulsed as the orgasm refused to end, and I held onto Darrow for dear life, clawing at his back. His lips met mine. I opened for him, and our tongues clashed. In my head, he kept whispering.
Let me in, Aella. You will be alright. I won’t hurt you—now or ever. You're mine and more precious than the universe. Trust me, dear wife.
I sobbed, still panicking, but I wouldn’t let my past win this time.
I opened myself little by little until I cast all reservations aside.
Our two streaming lights merged, sparking with brilliant bursts of colors as they became one.
The gods cheered, followed by sighs of relief.
Our pleasure ebbed as we worked to catch our breath.
Desire commented in my mind. That would have gone more easily if I’d been in control, but I’m proud of you for overcoming your fear. The bond will be even stronger because you worked for it.
I’d never felt more raw and out of control in my life.
I didn’t think gods cared enough about mortals to be proud or, for that matter, to help like this.
It felt like you two were genuinely invested in us.
I mean, the pleasure was incredible, but that can’t be all that motivated you.
These thoughts had been running through the back of my mind on top of everything else.