“Imagining what it’d be like with both of us, aren’t you?” he probes, his voice a delicious challenge. I bite my lip, overwhelmed by the surge of desire.
“Now, with you so beautifully restrained, where should I begin?” he muses, his lips finding my right breast. His duplicate does not relent, capturing my left breast with equal demand. They suck and tease, perfectly synchronized, drawing gasps and moans from me that I should be embarrassed about, but I feel too good to care right now.
The duplicate trails kisses up my neck, eliciting shivers that Colton watches with rapt attention, his eyes dark with desire. “I love how your body responds to me,” he murmurs, as his illusion nips at my ear, sending sparks cascading down my back.
I feel his arousal pressing against my thigh, ramping up my own need for him. I shift invitingly, signaling my readiness. He meets my movement with a smirk, aligning himself at my entrance. The illusion captures my lips, his tongue diving deep as the real Colton enters me—slow at first, then with a growing urgency. He holds my wrists firmly above my head as I wriggle beneath him, each thrust pushing me to the brink of ecstasy. As I near climax, he pulls back, teasingly prolonging the moment and leaving me craving more.
The illusion releases my wrists and moves to stand beside us as the real Colton gently withdraws, only to guide me to the bed’s edge. He lifts me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as he sinks into me once more, deeper this time. I moan into his kiss, his hands firm on my thighs, guiding the slow, intoxicating rhythm that builds toward a crescendo.
My fingers tangle in his hair, the intensity of our connection deepening with each thrust. “I want more,” I gasp, pulling away from his lips. The illusionary Colton’s hand glides up my back, fingers weaving into my hair to gently tilt my head back.
“Are you ready to take more of me inside you?” he whispers huskily, his breath warm against my neck. My response is a desperate whimper. I nod fervently, my body alight with anticipation.
The real Colton tightens his grip on the back of my neck, his touch both commanding and tender. “Look at me,” he commands softly. “I want to see your eyes as I fill you.” I lift my gaze to his, finding a storm of desire there, and he holds my eyes intently as he begins to move.
The illusion at my back embraces me tightly as he starts topress into me from behind. I draw in a sharp breath, the sensation new and intense. I keep my eyes locked with Colton’s as he fills me slowly, deeply. The initial pressure gives way to a pulsing pleasure that radiates through me.
They move in a careful rhythm, one advancing as the other retreats, creating a mix of sensations that leaves me breathless. With each coordinated movement, the space within me adjusts, accommodating the dual presence that both overwhelms and exhilarates.
Colton’s gaze never wavers from mine, his eyes holding a mix of concern and intense passion. Each time he withdraws, the illusionary Colton fills the void, maintaining the exquisite pressure. The rhythm builds slowly, meticulously, until I find myself nodding slightly, a silent signal that I’m more than okay—I’m consumed by the pleasure of it all.
They accelerate, and I cling to Colton, my nails digging into his shoulders as waves of pleasure roll over me, culminating in a shuddering orgasm. After thoroughly fucking me senseless and driving me to orgasm multiple times, the illusion behind me vanishes.
Colton gently lowers me back onto the bed, maintaining our connection. His demeanor softens. His movements become tender as he cups my cheek, kissing me slowly, deeply, making love to me with a measured rhythm that once again escalates our pleasure until we both climax together.
Exhausted, he eases out of me and rolls onto his back, drawing me close so I’m sprawled across him, my body spent. His fingers tenderly stroke my hair and trace soothing patterns on my back.
In the quiet aftermath, he whispers declarations of his love and excitement for our future. His words, filled with emotion and promise, lull me into a peaceful sleep nestled against hisheartbeat.
“Areyou ready for the most fabulous day of your life? Did you sleep well?” Hollie exclaims, perched on a pillow next to Chepi at the foot of my bed.
I twirl a strand of hair around my finger, staring at my reflection. “Actually, I had a nightmare and woke up at 3 a.m. Couldn’t fall back asleep after that. I guess it’s nerves, you know...but the good kind,” I reply, examining the bags under my eyes that Flora will undoubtedly magic away with makeup later.
I don’t bother mentioning the part about Colton giving me the best sex of my life before my midnight mind woke me with a nightmare. But he was gone when I woke at 3 a.m., having slipped back to his room to avoid a confrontation with Flora.
“It’s natural to feel that way. I wonder how Colton slept last night. Or better yet, how King Onyx slept—gods, isn’t he handsome? I hope he shows up today!” Hollie muses, drifting into a daydream about him.
“He mentioned he’d be here,” I say, pausing as I frown at my reflection. “Well, he said he needed to talk to me before the ceremony, so I assume he’ll stay. But I wouldn’t hold it against him if he chose not to.”
Hollie’s face falls into a pout, sparking another round of laughter from me.
“If he stays, I’ll make sure he sits next to you during the ceremony,” I assure her, watching her cheeks bloom with excitement as she flutters over to land on my shoulder.
“I love you, you know that? Have I mentioned it lately?” she giggles, her voice bubbling with joy.
“You know, I haven’t spoken to Nyx alone since that night—the night we defeated Samael. It feels like a lifetime haspassed, and we’ve been worlds apart. I meant to talk to him before today, but time slipped away,” I admit, a pang of guilt shadowing my expression.
“I’m sure he understands, Lyra. Don’t beat yourself up. You’re on the brink of a monumental change, stepping into power and mystery—he couldn’t possibly grasp all that’s weighing on you. And let’s not forget, he’s been wrapped up in his own kingly duties as well.” she reassures me, fluttering back to Chepi to stroke his head. “I’m going to miss you two. The Dream Forest won’t be the same without you.”
A frown tugs at my lips. “I’ll miss you too, Hollie. I’ll visit when I can, though I’m not sure how my new responsibilities will shape my time. But one way or another, we’ll see each other again. I promise,” I say, sinking down onto the pillows beside them.
“Does it feel weird, staying here knowing Elspeth hates you?” Hollie asks as we lie back on the bed, gazing up at the elaborately painted ceiling. This coastal home, one of Colton’s family’s many properties, is beautiful. Flora chose it for the ceremony, and honestly I couldn’t care less about the location as long as Colton and I are together.
“It feels sad. I wish she didn’t hate me, but I can’t blame her. I know she’s going to miss her son, and if I were in her shoes, I’m not sure how I’d feel either,” I say, my eyes tracing the scenes of painted angels and demons that seem to taunt each other, etched in gold.
“Do you think she’ll be at the ceremony today?” Hollie asks as Chepi belly crawls between us to settle in.
“She better be. It would really hurt Colton if she wasn’t there. He’s visited her a few times this past month. He hasn’t mentioned anything about her disapproving of the binding ceremony, but I don’t think he would. He’d be tooafraid of hurting my feelings,” I explain, reaching out to scratch Chepi behind his ears.
