When tension seemed to coil in his body, he jerked away from her. “If you keep doing this, I won’t get a chance to put it anywhere else. Elyse, I am completely unworthy of you.”
She wiped her mouth and crawled on top of him, straddling his stomach. Elyse’s limbs shook with nerves, but she wanted it. Wantedhim.“Don’t say that—you’re worthy. More than worthy.”
He shook his head, wrapping his arms around her as he shifted to be on top. “Elyse, you are incredible—and not just because of this,” he said, gesturing to her naked body. “You’re intelligent, talented with magic, and singing, and drawing. I lovethat you’re always thinking, that you surprise me in so many ways. Long before tonight, I gave myself to you, my whole heart. It is yours to keep and each day I promise to earn yours.” He tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.
“You already have it, Az.” Staring into his gaze, she knew he’d had it since the night of the ball, since that first kiss. Elyse couldn’t let herself believe it, that she would give it to a stranger, even when he chased after her. With a clear head, missing the self-doubt and hate that used to pollute it, she stared at him as a new person. Elyse didn’t love him, not yet, but he held her heart.
Az kissed her, his body becoming flush with hers. “It’ll hurt at first—so you know; but it’ll pass. If it’s too much, please say something.”
Elyse nodded, and he kissed her, cupping her face.
Az was gentle as he eased his cock inside her, a spark of pain causing her to hiss. He stopped, letting her adjust, and continued when she nodded her head. It took a few moments, but the pain subsided, heat filling her center as he thrust his hips. Elyse gasped with a moan, arching off the bed as her nails dug into his back. The way she felt full sent her head spinning.
“Elyse,” he moaned. “Goddess, you’re incredible.”
His body over top of her was strong, and she watched the way his shoulder muscles shifted with effort, watched the way the pleasure changed his expression. Even in the low light, his russet eyes seemed to glow near red the longer he moved.
The deep thrumming within her started again, aided by Az’s thrusting, with sharp breaths and nails at his back. He smirked down at her as his pace changed, faster, rougher, and her back arched underneath him with a whimper. The tension was near unbearable as he kissed her, tongue sweeping across her mouth.
He pulled back, his forehead resting on hers as he continued to move. “Do you trust me, goddess?” Looking from eye to eye, she nodded through the haze of her pleasure.
Az slowed, shifting his weight to one arm as a hand moved to her chin, tilting her head to the side. He lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing from her jaw to her collarbone as his hips moved faster, panting. Without warning, his nails grew sharp against her chin, his body tightening as he bit down on her neck.
The scream in her throat released in a quivering moan as the sudden sharp pain in her neck gave way to pleasure. Everything else faded away, her body only aware of where Az touched her. His mouth at her neck, his hips as he came close with every thrust, his cock deep inside her.
Something beyond chaos filled Elyse—thoughts emptied her mind, and there was only her and Az, his moan in her neck as he continued to move, his own breathing ragged. Elyse’s orgasm crashed through her body in thundering waves. Her vision faded to white, nails clawing into his back as she cried out for him.
With the utterance of his name, Az lost himself, his body holding her tight against him, his teeth still digging into her skin as he moved faster. He groaned as release found him, only removing his mouth when his body stopped shuddering.
His lips met where he bit with a kiss, her body going lax. Elyse melted into him as Az collapsed to the bed. She looked over at him, sweat slick on his brow and breathless. “Elyse,” he whispered, cupping her face, his slacked with awe. “You’re mine, and I am yours.”
Elyse stared into his russet eyes, knowing that it was true. “You’re mine, and I’m yours,” she repeated, causing him to close his eyes with a shudder.
“Don’t leave tonight. Stay with me.” He kissed her deeply.
“But Keyain is expecting me back—”
“Don’t go back to them, ever. Stay with me,” Az whispered. “We can leave for Chorys Dasi in the morning, you and I.”
“Az,” the name was awkward to say as her haziness lifted. “I can’t just leave.”
“What’s stopping you?”
What was stopping her?
Guilt that she could make Keyain angry? Disappointment from the King? Was leaving on a whim such a bad thing that they couldn’t forgive her? Perhaps the King couldn’t, but Keyain was like a brother—he’d always forgive her, right? “Nothing.”
“Then stay, Elyse. We can be married in a week, as soon as we’re in Chorys Dasi.” Az kissed her, the promise on his lips sweet as she held his face.
“I’ll stay,” Elyse whispered. “I’ll be your wife. Just one more week.”
Az smiled and it was the most beautiful thing, with his eyes aglow. “A dream that came true. A future that can be,” he murmured into her hair.
The decision was impulsive, but that’s what she wanted. Az was what she wanted. In her gut, Elyse knew he was her future, that she would see all Chorys Dasi had to offer.
Thoughts of walks along the beaches of The Mavros Sea, of holding his hand in the streets of Chorys Dasi, of doing magic in public filled her mind as she nestled into Az, sleep taking hold of her. Freedom was at her doorstep. Elyse just needed to cross the threshold.
That night proved she could.
