So when the note arrives later in my room to meet Atlys in the caves tonight, I know I’m going to struggle keeping my mind focused for Starwatcher practice.
“Try harder,” Atlys commands. The soft glow from the turquoise hot springs next to us illuminates his furrowed profile. Water trickles and drips in a staccato rhythm as irregular as my heartbeat. We have been working together for an hour already with no success.
I cannot seem to spread my awareness outside the cave walls above us, let alone to the stars. Vines with small glowing buds of blues and greens wrap around the stone, climbing up the walls until they disappear into the high reaches of the cave ceiling. Only the occasional stalactite jutting downward punctures the darkness above. If I squint my eyes, I can almost pretend that those little glowing buds are stars.
I jab my right arm into Atlys’s side, punctuating my words. “I. Am.”
“Are you now?” he growls and reacts so quickly, I can barely register his movements. His body is inches over mine, holding himself stiff. Only the cool brush of the two silver chains dangling from his neck tickle my skin. He grumbles impatiently. This close, I can see the moisture on his pale skin from the warm steam of the springs. His pupils dilate, darkening his stare to nearly black.
He looks as if he is going to devour me, hungry and dominant. The ground trembles slightly beneath us, and I know he is holding in his power on a tight leash.
Even though I’m terrified, I cannot help but test him. See how far his control will stretch before it snaps. I lift my chin higher in defiance. “I am trying, but if you think I’m not, why don’t you motivate me?”
Sparks crackle and simmer between us as Atlys lowers himself onto me, pressing his thickness into my thigh. My breath hitches, and the stone floor beneath me vibrates in unison with his chuckle. He stays there, waiting for my response.
I hate that I love this feeling. This thrill.
Then I do something so reckless I just might die. I tilt my chin upward and kiss him.
He goes unnaturally still.
Embarrassment flushes my cheeks and I start to pull away, but his composure cracks and our mouths clash in hungry swells. He tilts his head and slips his tongue along my teeth.
I shudder and let out a breathy moan, which only ignites him further. He tastes just like he smells, leather and smoke and seabreeze, and I want more. More.
He must be reading my thoughts as his smoky shadows envelop us. Atlys grinds his hips into mine, and I arch in response. His hand slides upward, massaging my scalp and ever so lightly pulling on my hair.
Wanting to touch him, feel him, I press my hands on his chest. Gods. Even through his ridiculously expensive looking shirt I can feel his muscles flexing.
Atlys growls in approval at our contact. Something about it is so primal, as if my touch awoke a beast inside. He pulls away in a slow, prowling movement, watching me like any predator would prey, then slowly uncurls to his full height. His fingers flex and straighten in and out of fists.
“I’m not sure I can control myself any longer,” he grits through clenched teeth. Shadows pool around his feet in slow, smoking swirls.
Towering above me with darkness licking his boots like a snake, he looks like the lethal, powerful creature aptly named Soul Eater. Carefully, I rise to my feet, trying not to make any sudden movements, but my boot gets caught on the hem of my dress, pulling the arm down to expose my shoulder. Fuck.
His eyes turn completely black, pure instinct taking over. Black wings materialize outward from his back. “Run.”
I scream and run between the scattered pools of water. Each stride makes me painfully aware of my throbbing core.Exhilaration takes over and I run, winding through the caves as fast as I can.
But he’s faster.
Large arms wrap around me from behind. I can feel his arousal as he purrs into my ear. “We are not finished.”
I turn toward him, smirk, and jump upward, straddling my legs around his tapered waist, knowing full well how our two bodies are meeting in the center. My smirk deepens into a cocky grin. I wore a dress tonight… and nothing underneath.
His nostrils flare, scenting my arousal. He carries us to the edge of the largest hot spring and gently sets me down, sliding my body along his front until we stand toe to toe. The silver of his eyes are visible again as he begins to gain control over whatever primal instinct that was.
I reach to lower the sleeves of my white nightgown off my shoulder.
“Please, let me.” Atlys promenades around me slowly, as if admiring a piece of art. He stops directly behind me and, with an extreme amount of focus, trails a finger along my collarbone before slipping the gown off my shoulder. It pools on the floor, and I’m tempted to go lie down next to the flimsy fabric just to give my trembling legs a break.
I turn to face him and try to suppress any feelings of self-consciousness. I am completely exposed before the Lord of Terraguard, Soul Eater, and most powerful Underling known in all Tellings.
“You are exquisite,” he says as his eyes slowly trace every curve and dip of my body.
I step closer. “Your turn.”
Without breaking eye contact, Atlys reaches one arm behind his head and pulls his shirt off before throwing it to the side. The other hand unclasps the leather belt buckled low on his waist,pulling it slowly through the loops then tossing it to the pile where his shirt lays crumpled. Last, his pants join the pile.
