“You do this to me,” she sighed, closing her eyes as the first gentle wave of heat lapped along her nerves. A furrowcreased her brows as her belly clenched. “Make me burn. Make me shatter. Come with me.”
“Aye.” He dragged his lips up her neck, crested her chin and hovered against her mouth. “Anything for you.”
Rori drowned in his kiss, releasing the tenuous string of restraint as he drove into her, fanning the inferno hotter and hotter until the sparks caught and the blaze spread. He drove deeper, playing her naturally, every single nerve without missing a stroke. She met each thrust, grinding against him, bringing her closer to the precipice of delight.
Shattered.
No other could ever make her soul sing the way he did as she was, once again, consumed by blinding bliss where nothing existed except raw ecstasy riding on heightened frequencies. Where everything burst in whites and golds. The physical world was nothing but an impression as her body beat beneath a frenzied rhythm that intensified as fire filled her and the distant growl of her soul mate’s release entwined with her moans.
“My most precious love,” Thaddeus whispered, nuzzling his nose in her hair, his cheek against hers.
Caught in the cradle of his arms, her legs locked around his waist, she worked to settle her breathing, the rapid pulse of her heart, and the tremors that continued to shake her limbs. He held her tight, his embrace a security blanket protecting her from the world while she lay weak and vulnerable, satiated in this post-climactic aftermath. Her cheek lowered to his shoulder and she rested, filling her lungs with the spiced scent of his skin, her fingers lazily tracing over the corded muscles along his back, tangling in his wet hair. All of this man, every facet of his character—the icy cold, immovable force to the sweetest, most tender creature ever to live—would die if she couldn’t find a way to save him. Her mindrefused to process a world without Thaddeus. Herlifewithout her soul mate.
“I’m not strong enough to lose you,” she murmured.
“Let’s not discuss this while my heart still beats,storín.” His fingers trailed down her spine, light as feathers, and drew back to her nape. Up and down, such a soothing, methodical stroke that suffused her with calm while her mild spun with turmoil. “You have me now. Let’s not waste what time I’ve left on a future we cannot change.”
“I’ll change it. For us.”
His lips found her head and placed a gentle kiss to her hair.
“You are capable of all you put your heart into. Alas, this is beyond the control of either of us.” His arm tightened around her waist, the fingers of his other hand still stroking her spine, as he sighed. “I accepted my fate when I woke after being struck down during battle. At that time, I had naught to live for. Then you stormed my life, and I want naught more than to live, if only to see your eyes sparkle with joy and to hear your laughter. Our time together has been fraught with horror and strife. Heartbreak and sorrow. I would give anything to make you happy without the fear of attacks and past nightmares. ’Tis why I made my decision.”
Rori pressed her lips together, her jaw growing stiff. He lifted his hands to her face, raising her up to him and smoothing his thumbs beneath her eyes.
“’Twould be suffering to drag out the inevitable, knowing my death lingers over our heads. There is no joy in anticipating grief. You may find momentary happiness with me now, but your mind is a storm of uncertainty and anxiety, waiting for this to end. Each day that passes, I sense your apprehension intensifying. You’ve been so caught up trying to devise a plan to save me when there is no saving acondemned man from a being as powerful as the King of Realms. There is no corner of the realms where I can hide that he shall not find me, in time. Life is not meant to be lived looking over your shoulder. You, Rori, deserve everything I can’t give you. Ohh, Goddess, the tears.”
“They’re for you,” she sniffled, pressing her face into his hands as he wiped the stray tears from her cheeks. “They’ve always been for you.”
“This is what we’ve built our relationship on—loathing and sorrow.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong. We fought through the façade that was loathing and faced the burden that is sorrow. We found peace with each other. We found resilience.”
Thaddeus smiled sadly. “I’m undeserving of your tears, love. I’m undeserving of you, but I cherish you more than you’ll ever know.” He kissed her forehead. “Let me carry you to bed so I can lay your dress by the fire to dry while I hold you tight. Trinkets of our most precious moments for you to carry with you.”
34
Asoft knock on the door brought him back from his dark thoughts. For the last two hours, he’d enjoyed the peace he’d found, lying with Rori tucked in his arms as he stroked her warm skin. Peace that coated his love’s beautiful face with soft curves and smooth slopes.
He had hurt her. Again.
He would always hurt her.
Supporting her head, he slipped his arm from beneath her and eased her back on the pillow. She stirred with a breathy moan, but settled back without waking. He climbed off the bed, grabbed the loose sleep pants he’d left at the foot before his bath, and tugged them on as he crossed to the door. Casting a glance at his sleepinganamcara, he pulled the door open.
Shaye leaned against the frame, arms crossed over his chest. He was dressed in Court robes—though most High Fae wore cream or white, accented by gold, Shaye donned black with gold embroidery—hair plaited in multiple braids. His eyes remained sharp, but his face betrayed a hint of fatigue.
“My apologies for disturbing you. Do you have a moment?”
Thaddeus slipped into the corridor, pulling the door closed. He watched as Shaye pushed away from the frame and lowered his arms to his sides.
“On the morrow, we’ll move forward with your plan.” Shaye tipped his head toward the door. “I’ve bought you the rest of this eve and the morn. Use your time wisely.” His grin was tired, for he refused to believe Shaye held any sadness toward him. Until the man clapped his shoulder and murmured, “Old friend.”
He disappeared on a gentle whorl of air.
Thaddeus sank against the door and dropped his head back. Strength abandoned him as he struggled to stay on his feet. He knew ’twould be without delay once he set his plan in motion. The moment Dagda knew his whereabouts, he was a dead Fae. Still…
“So soon.”
