Chapter Thirty-Two

Dancing followed dinner, done outside in the village square. There were some very talented Tigers in Vexen's clan. Our clan, I guess. The males especially liked to show off, spinning and jumping to land in aggressive poses. Children ran around the dancing area mimicking the adults. The kids were surprisingly surefooted and did well with most of the less complicated moves. And they were damn adorable.

Vexen and I lounged on the stone steps of a shop to watch the entertainment. The clothing store was closed for the night, its proprietor doubtless among the throng. All the shops that bordered the square were closed except for one—a restaurant. They were selling drinks and snacks and doing a healthy business thanks to the celebration.

I'd been contemplating adding some coins to their profits when Vex stood up. I looked at him, wondering if he had the same thought. But he went toward the dancing instead. Thankfully, he didn't try to get me to join him. So, I settled back into a lean and watched as he stepped into the throng of dancers.

Vexen started with a leap. The other dancers backed away, giving him space. When he landed on the balls of his feet, he spun, then slammed a foot down to the primal beat. The musicians were playing in the center of the dancers—a group of them sitting on a pile of animal skins, slapping handheld drums and plucking their stringed instruments. No one sang. It was just that hypnotic harmony, perfect for dancing.

Vexen's hair flung out in a glossy veil, his arms came down in motions that looked as if they belonged on a battlefield, and his eyes glinted in the low light of lampposts set around the square. He looked savage but moved with such grace that even the warrior motions became beautiful.

I was entranced. I sat forward, stare locked on my lover. And Vex knew it. His lips shifted into a feral grin, fangs bared, and his actions became more sensual. A hand slid up his stomach and fisted in his tunic. Vex pulled the shirt off as he spun.

I swallowed, then let my jaw hang open. Well, I didn't exactly let it. It just did.

A clap came with the beat, Vexen's strong arms coming together as he danced closer to me. Lean hips canted forward, taking Vex into an undulation that he emphasized and ended with a downward strike of his elbow. Sharp masculine movements softened by rolls of his belly or hips. Shakes of his shoulders that were both joyous and powerful. I'd never seen anything like it.

Men and women alike cheered Vexen's name and applauded, some of them urging him on. Slowly, I began to hear what they were saying. Naughty things. Things that shouldn't have been said around children. But the children didn't seem to notice. A few of them were even mimicking Vex. Which I wasn't sure if I approved of. His motions were getting, well, as naughty as those words.

He was also getting closer.

I licked my lips as Vex stalked me, his stare locked on me and his body doing things that made me wonder what he hadn't shown me in bed. Obviously, he was capable of so much more. He twirled and did one of those undulations facing away from me. I suddenly remembered what we'd been about to do before I'd been summoned.

Damn him and his round, pert ass. I was getting hard. Right there, in front of his clan. Our clan. Whatever. Why were his leather pants so tight? They were practically another layer of skin over that luscious butt. At least it was dark and most people were looking at Vexen, not me. Still, I had to do a shift-and-tuck to get little Ember out of the spotlight.

Oh, fuck, he's coming closer.

The beat slowed, and so did Vexen's movements. He was right in front of me now, within touching distance. One hip dropped while the other raised. The tattoos on his chest rippled as his belly undulated forward. He straddled me, still standing, so that his crotch was at the level of my face. I didn't know what to do. The clan was cheering so loud that I couldn't hear anything else. I wanted to touch Vex, but he kept moving.

Then he held a hand down to me.

I took it immediately, and Vex yanked me to my feet. Slapping an arm around me, he pulled me into an embrace. Finally, I got to touch him, and I couldn't help sliding my hands over his bare, beautiful chest.

Vex grinned down at me and circled his hips subtly, rubbing his cock against my erection. “I see you enjoyed my dance.”

“I do have eyes,” I said.

He laughed, then lowered his head to kiss me. The cheering became deafening. “Hold on,” he whispered.

And then we were back in his bedroom, and I sighed in relief.

“Finally,” I said.

I expected Vex to take me to bed instantly or start kissing me, but instead, he yanked me into a hug. His hands pressed against my back—holding not stroking. I could feel his heart pounding fast beneath my cheek, but I figured it was because of all the dancing.

Then he said, “I was fucking terrified.”

“What?” I lifted my head. “When?”

“When?!” He gaped at me. “When?”

I processed all the clues then. Vexen's heart wasn't beating from lust or physical exertion. It was anxiety. Fear. Vex had to wait through dinner and dancing before he could reassure himself that I was all right. He'd been playing the role of a relaxed lover—the Chief's son, assured in his mate. But the entire time, probably from the instant I accepted the challenge, he'd been terrified.

I laid my hand on his heart. “Didn't you feel me through our bond?”

“Yes, I felt you. I reached for you throughout the fight. I was trying to give you my strength, but I couldn't. I guess I can't do that until I've bonded with the other men.” Vex leaned down. “Then I felt your fear. When Bale had you pinned. I thought you were going to die. You did too, didn't you, Ember?” His stare was sharp, ready to draw blood.

“Yes,” I admitted. “But I wasn't alone. Didn't you sense that too?”

“No. I was too focused on you. I had no idea the Elements were helping you.”

“And we were too focused on helping Ember to reassure you,” Air said. “My apologies.”

“Oh, now you speak up,” I grumbled. “I expected you to say something to the Chief and support our claims, but you didn't. Yet now, when we'd like some privacy, you're here.”

“Seriously, Sparky?” Fire snapped. “That's the welcome we get after saving your life?”

“Thank you for saving the life of my mate,” Vexen said gravely. “I didn't need assurance as much as I needed you with him. So, thank you.”

“Fuck,” I muttered. “Sorry. Yes, you're right. Thank you for helping me. I thought I had fucked up.”

“You did,” Earth said. “You shouldn't have let him pin you.”

“I didn't let him,” I grumbled. “He just did. And I did think I was going to die.” I met Vexen's stare. “I was scared. I thought I had failed you and the rest of the world. I shouldn't have risked it.”

“No, you shouldn't have,” Vex growled. Then he softened. “But I love you for it.” He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me.

I didn't care that the Elements were there. Fuck it. This was too sweet. Too romantic. Too Vexen to miss. Love burned between us. Fucking exploded. Not lust. Love. Pure in its intentions. Steady in its devotion. It shivered over my arms as if coalescing in the air—a physical thing that fueled the line connecting us. Where there was only a thin thread between Ara and me, there was a thick chain linking me to Vex. Something strong enough to hold down a dragon.

And even that brief thought about Ara didn't dull the glow of the love between Vexen and me. I knew this love was giving me the strength to save Aranren and end the war. It wasn't just pure and glorious, it was also destined and invaluable to the planet. After all this time, I'd finally learned why it had to be me and why I had to unite wraith lords in love. Not for their power or mine. Not to save Ara. It was simply because only love can defeat death. It wasn't magic or an entity. Just an emotion. And yet, that emotion fueled the entire world. It brought babies in the spring and made the trees bear fruit. It warmed better than Fire, rose higher than Air, sustained greater than Water, and supported more firmly than Earth. Not even Spirit—the magic of the Goddess—could come close to love in power. Love would save Varr.

I eased out of our glorious kiss and looked up at Vex. “I was wrong. I had to risk myself. I had to honor what's between us. If I didn't, it would have weakened our love. I think even this day, containing what I thought were missteps, unfolded perfectly.”

“I'm part of your destiny now,” Vex said.

“Vex, you've always been a part of it.”

“You're right. I can feel it.” His stare went distant. “There has been a place in my heart reserved for you from the moment of my birth.” He refocused on me. “I thought I had loved before, but when I found you, I realized I had no idea what love was.”

“Damn it, Vex!” I snarled.

His head jerked back. “What did I say wrong?”

“Nothing. That's the point. I thought I said something really romantic and then you outshone it. Again.”

Vex snorted, but then he went serious. “Staying silent through that fight was the hardest thing I've ever done. When Bale pinned you, I nearly jumped the rope and pulled him off you. I wanted to kill him. Tear his throat out. Making a tiger watch his mate get tested is cruel. I need to speak to my father about it.”

“Maybe that's why they're tested before they mate,” I said gently.

Vex grimaced. “Probably. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.”

“It's all right. You already apologized.” I glanced down the expanse of his bare chest. “That dance more than made up for it.”

His grimace turned into a grin. “I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's normally done at a mating celebration. Since that was sort of our mating celebration, I thought it appropriate.”

I removed my belt and tossed it aside. “What would be appropriate is if you got naked now.”

That grin turned wicked. Vex licked his lips. “Is it time?”

“If you still want to try it.”

“I do.”

“In that case, grab the oil.”

Vex went to a bedside table and retrieved a bottle out of its drawer. As he did, I got undressed. It didn't take him long to catch up to me, what with him only wearing pants. Then, grinning like fools, we crawled onto the bed together.

“Lie on your stomach,” I said.

“Not on all-fours?”

I shivered as that image bombarded me. “That sounds incredible, but no. I want to massage you first.”

“Massage me?” Vex lifted his brows. “You're the one who fought today. I should massage you.”

“Yes, but you're the one who's about to be penetrated for the first time.”

He made a disgusted expression. “I don't think I like the sound of that.”

“Penetrated? How about entered?”

“Better, but it could still use some improvement.” Vex chuckled and laid down on his belly. “How about made love to?”

“Yes, definitely.”

Staring at the expanse of Vexen's muscled back, the upper part wreathed in tattoos that swept around from the front, I sighed. Was there anything more beautiful than a naked man lying like that, with his bouncy bottom begging to be played with? Nope. Nothing better.

I took the oil from Vex, and he pulled a pillow beneath his chest, folding his arms around it before smiling at me. “I'm ready for my massage now.”

“All right, all right.” I laughed. “Don't be so impatient.”

I poured some oil into my hand and then transferred it to his back, smoothing it down his spine. Another palm's worth of the stuff went over his ass, spread from one cheek to the other with swift motions. The muscles there tightened when I stroked him, and I knew I'd made the right choice. He needed to be eased into this. I remembered my first time and how nervous I was. If only my partner had taken the time to relax me, it would have been so much more enjoyable.

I capped the bottle and straddled Vexen's back, keeping myself lifted. “Just relax and don't think about what we're going to do.”

“All right.”

I started kneading his shoulders, working the oil out across them as I smoothed the knots from his muscles. Vexen sighed, and his muscles loosened more. Moving down, I focused on his relaxation. On working out the tension. Only when his back was jelly did I reposition myself over his thighs. Still, I didn't look at his ass. I focused on loosening his hips, massaging one side and then the other.

“Great fuck, mate,” Vexen said. “You're good at this. I had no idea I was so tight.”

I bit my lip to keep from chuckling or saying something very naughty. I didn't want him thinking about that yet. So, instead, I said, “Thank you. I'm glad you like it.”

And then I worked inward.

At first, Vex clenched his ass, but I massaged each cheek until he relaxed. Then I moved down to his thighs. I don't think he was prepared for that. He thought I was working my way to his ass and then I'd fuck him. But I wanted his entire back side loose before I attempted that.

I moved over to kneel beside Vex so I could massage his thighs better. I pulled them out to the sides as I massaged so that Vex slowly parted his legs. By the time I reached his calves, he had made enough room for me to kneel between his thighs. So, I did.

“I'm going to touch your entrance now,” I said. “But we won't start until it feels good and you want me to enter you with more than a finger. All right?”

Vex looked over his shoulder at me and nodded. He watched as I opened the bottle of oil again and poured out a small amount. After I coated a few fingers in it, I ran my hand down the crack of his ass, drawing it over his asshole.

He went still.

Gently, I spread him and revealed an umber ring. It clenched as I watched, puckering like lips. I moved slowly inward, massaging closer and closer until I was circling his hole.

The hole twitched.

I smiled to myself as I rubbed it, then grinned wider when Vex sighed. His ring of muscles relaxed a little, and I slipped the very tip of a finger into him.

Vex made a happy sound, so I took it further.

In and out, I prodded that fingertip as I rubbed his ring with my other hand. In and out. With every round motion in, I got a little further, but I didn't push too deep. Instead, after I gained an inch, I hooked my finger and pulled gently.

“Oh, fuck,” Vex murmured. “That's nice.”

“If you like that, you'll really like this,” I said, then bent over to push my face between his cheeks.

We both liked that very much. Vexen cried out and wriggled happily as I licked his tight hole, a nutty taste teasing me, thanks to the oil. Meanwhile, my cock bobbed and wept. I mentally promised it that we'd be satisfied very soon. It was already glorious to be pressed between Vexen's plump cheeks and feel his muscles twitch beneath my tongue.

Then I slid my tongue into him.

“Fuck!” Vexen roared.

I moaned, feeling an echo of his pleasure shoot through our bond. Then my eyes widened. I hadn't considered how the bond could help me make Vexen's first time wonderful. I opened further to it and felt his arousal. His need. Holding that connection in my head, I slipped my tongue deeper.

We shuddered together.

Gasping, I pulled back. I didn't have to ask Vex if he was ready for more. I knew he was. So, I poured more oil into my palm. This time, I coated my cock before I slicked my fingers. Then I eased my middle finger into Vex. When pleasure shimmered and urged me on, I pumped it. Deeper and deeper. He tightened, then relaxed around me, then tightened again. I kept working him with that hand as I reached my other down to massage the sensitive area between his sacs and his asshole.

“Ember,” Vex growled. “I'm ready. Do it.”

“I know, love,” I said as I removed my finger. “Get on your knees for me.”

Eagerness blasted down our line as Vex rose onto his hands and knees. He looked back at me again, and I grabbed the base of my shaft. He nodded. I pressed the tip against him. Pushed. The head of my cock popped past his outer ring and then his body pulled me in. I cried out with him, holding back, refusing to give in to the urge to slam deep. Taking deep breaths helped. I was able to slowly work back and forth. Ever so slow—

Vexen slammed back on me, taking my entire cock into his body.

“Holy fuck!” I shouted.

“Sweet Goddess!” he roared.

Then Vex was driving himself onto me with abandon, his back moving in the most sexy way. I was supposed to be fucking him, but, even as a bottom, Vex fucked me. Why was I not surprised?

I didn't try to take over. This was Vexen's first time and if he wanted it like this, that's how he'd get it. It was better for him to determine the speed and depth anyway. Even with our bond, he would know better than I what he enjoyed. So I steadied myself and let him take control. But there was still something I could do.

I reached down and grabbed his cock.

“Great fuck!” Vex cried. “Oh, yes! Stroke my dick, mate!”

I pumped Vexen's cock while he slammed himself back on mine, and we both rolled our heads through the waves of pleasure that washed between us. It left me a little confused, but I didn't care. The rapture was worth it. I let myself go as I held onto Vex.

“Ember,” he moaned.

“Come, love,” I said. “It's all right. I can keep going after you've had your release.”

Vex shoved one last time against me, pressing his ass into my belly so hard that it went flat. He shuddered and arched his back while below him, his cock also shuddered and spurted on the bed. The orgasm rocked him through three ejaculations that clenched his channel around me. Finally, he went still. When Vexen's arms gave out and he fell onto his pillow, I let go of his dick and brought my hands back to his ass.

I wasn't done yet.

“My turn,” I growled as I started to thrust.

Vex moaned and lifted his ass for me. His body gripped mine so tightly, so perfectly, that I knew I wouldn't last long. The pleasure was already building in my balls. And the sight of him bent over for me—spent and gorgeous, pert ass lifted—added to my arousal. So did the sound of my slick cock working into him faster and faster. I grabbed his fleshy ass, fingers digging in as my climax found me, and I started to pull out.

“Fill me!” Vex growled. “Come inside me, mate.”

“Holy fuck,” I panted. Then I was locking up against him, my body taking over and accepting Vexen's offer. I gripped his ass even tighter, holding him to me as my cock kicked in his channel, filling it with hot cum. “Vexen!” I shouted.

Oh, the supreme beauty of that release. And Vex shuddered through it with me, feeling my pleasure as his own. At last, when he was full and I was empty, I slipped out of my lover and rolled to the side. Vex immediately got onto his side and pulled me into his arms.

“Mate, you are magnificent,” he declared, and then promptly passed out.

I didn't blame him. Maybe because I joined him seconds later.