27. Lyra

27

LYRA

I stand there, still reeling from the events that just unfolded. The crowd's cheers have died down, and most have dispersed, leaving the arena feeling strangely empty. My heart is still racing, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I've done it. I've actually earned my wings.

As I try to process everything, Sariel tugs on me. His golden eyes are fixed on me, a mix of emotions swirling in their depths. We haven't had a chance to really talk since... well, since everything.

"Lyra," he says softly. "Come with me."

I don't question it. I let him pull me back into the corridors, and it doesn't take me long to realize that we are headed for his room. Not that I mind it. I want a moment alone with him.

Once we are inside his room with the door shut, I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "Sariel, I?—"

"Wait," he interrupts, holding up a hand. "Before you say anything, I need to apologize. What I did... the role I played in the trials... it was unforgivable. I put you in danger, I betrayed your trust. I understand if you can never?—"

"I forgive you," I say, cutting him off.

He blinks, clearly taken aback. "You... what?"

I meet his gaze steadily. "I forgive you, Sariel. What you did was wrong, yes. But in the end, you stood up for me. You risked everything to support me. And... I understand the position you were in."

Sariel's shoulders slump, relief evident in his posture. "Lyra, I... thank you. But I don't deserve your forgiveness. What I did?—"

"Is in the past," I finish for him. "We can't change what happened. But we can move forward."

He nods slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're right. And I promise you, Lyra, I'll make it up to you. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I'll prove to you that your trust in me isn't misplaced." He cups my face. "I love you, little nexari."

Biting my lip, I lean into his hand. "And I love you."

Sariel brings my mouth to his, kissing me deeply and slowly. It's sweet and sensual, a promise of more to come. I melt into him, my heart racing as his hands roam my back, pulling me closer. He breaks the kiss, his golden eyes locked onto mine.

"I'm going to make everything up to you," he murmurs, his voice low and husky. He guides me back towards the bed, his intent clear. I comply, my breath hitching in anticipation.

He kneels before me, his hands trailing down my sides, sending shivers up my spine. He undresses me slowly, reverently, like I'm something precious. I feel exposed, vulnerable, but the way he looks at me—like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever seen—chases away any self-consciousness.

He spreads my legs, his gaze never leaving mine. I can feel his breath between my thighs, warm and teasing. He leans in, his mouth finding my most sensitive spot.

I gasp, my hands fisting the sheets as pleasure courses through me. He takes his time, exploring, tasting, driving me wild with every touch, every lick, every kiss. It's an apology, a promise, a declaration all rolled into one. And I'm lost in it, lost in him.

His fingers join his mouth, sliding inside me with a slow, deliberate motion that makes me arch my back. He curls them, hitting a spot that makes me see stars. I bite my lip, trying to hold back the moans that threaten to escape.

Sariel's pace quickens, his fingers and tongue working in tandem. He growls against me, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through my body. I can feel it building, that delicious tension that promises release.

He sucks gently, his fingers moving faster, and I can't hold back any longer. I come undone, my body convulsing as waves of pleasure wash over me. I cry out his name, my hands finding his hair, holding him in place as I ride out the orgasm.

He slows his movements, bringing me down gently. I'm panting, my heart racing as I come back to reality. Sariel looks up at me, a satisfied smirk on his face. He knows what he's done to me, and he's proud of it.

"Sariel," I whisper, my voice hoarse from my cries. His name is a promise, a plea, a declaration all rolled into one. And as he crawls up my body, his mouth finding mine, I know this is just the beginning.

Sariel smirks, his golden eyes gleaming with a mix of desire and challenge. "You think you can handle me, little nexari?" he taunts, pulling his tunic over his head, revealing the expanse of his muscular chest.

I lean up, my fingers finding the laces of his pants, tugging them loose. "I know I can," I reply, my voice steady despite the need blooming in my stomach.

I wrap my hand around his length, feeling him harden under my touch. He's hot and heavy in my palm, a thrill of power coursing through me as I stroke him, relishing the way his breath hitches.

His head falls back, a low groan escaping his lips. "Fuck, Lyra," he growls, his hips bucking into my hand. I work him slowly, building a rhythm that has him panting, his body tense with restraint.

I guide him to my entrance, a dare in my eyes as I meet his gaze. "Make me forget, Sariel," I whisper, my voice laced with challenge. "Make me forget everything but you."

He lets out a low, dangerous laugh, his wings flaring out behind him. "You asked for it, little nexari," he murmurs, his voice a dark promise. He leans down, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss as he thrusts into me, filling me completely.

I gasp into his mouth, my body stretching to accommodate him. He takes my dare seriously, setting a punishing pace that has me clinging to him, my nails digging into his shoulders. Each thrust is a statement, a claim, a promise to make me forget everything but him.

"Is this what you wanted, Lyra?" he growls, his voice rough with exertion. "You wanted me to fuck you until you can't think straight?"

I can only nod, my breath coming in ragged gasps as he drives into me, his body dominating mine. He's everywhere, consuming me, his scent, his touch, his voice overwhelming my senses. And I love it. I love the way he makes me feel alive, desired, powerful.

He hits a spot deep inside me that makes my toes curl, a wave of pleasure crashing over me. I moan deeply, clinging to him, and he just gives me a devious smile.

Sariel pulls out, his hands gripping my hips as he flips me onto my stomach. I let out a gasp, the cool air of the room a stark contrast to the heat of his body. He runs a hand down my spine, his touch possessive.

"You know what I'm looking forward to, little nexari?" he murmurs, his voice low and husky. He leans down, his breath hot on my ear. "When you have wings of your own. I can't wait to play with them, to feel them under my hands as I fuck you."

I shudder at the image, my body clenching in anticipation. "You think you're that good, huh?" I taunt, looking back at him over my shoulder. "Think this will keep going when we leave here?"

The question is a tease, but the message behind it… It's a real fear. It's not like we've talked about it. Communication has never been my strong suit with Sariel.

He chuckles, a dark and dangerous sound. "I know I can, Lyra. You're mine. Every part of you, every inch of you. Nothing is going to stop me from having you." He thrusts back in, hard and deep, claiming me with every movement.

I moan, my fingers gripping the sheets as he sets a punishing pace. Each thrust is a statement, a claim, a promise. "You're awfully sure of yourself, Sariel," I pant, my body meeting his with every movement. "What if I decide I don't want to be yours?"

He leans down, his hand wrapping around my throat, not squeezing, just holding. A show of dominance, of possession. "Then I'll just have to convince you, won't I?" he growls, his hips moving faster, his body driving into mine with a force that leaves me breathless. "I'll fuck you until you can't think straight, until you can't remember a time when you weren't mine. Until you beg for more, little nexari."

I let out a laugh, breathless and challenging. "You think you can make me beg, Sariel? You think you're that good?"

He smirks, his golden eyes gleaming with a mix of desire and challenge. "I know I am, Lyra. And I'm going to prove it to you, right now." He shifts his angle, hitting a spot deep inside me that makes my toes curl. I cry out, my body convulsing around him as he drives me higher and higher, his words and his body claiming me, owning me, making me his.

Sariel's grip on me tightens just a fraction, not enough to hurt but just enough to send a thrill of possession coursing through me. His hips move with a steady, punishing rhythm, each thrust a claim, a statement of ownership.

"You're mine, Lyra," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "No one else touches you. No one else fucks you. You're all mine."

I try to hold back, try to resist the inevitable. But with each thrust, each possessive word, I feel myself slipping, giving in to the primal need he stirs within me.

My body is on fire, every nerve ending alight with sensation. I can feel it building, that delicious tension that promises release.

"Say it, Lyra," he demands, his golden eyes locked onto mine. "Say you're mine."

I shake my head, a defiant spark still burning within me. "Make me," I challenge, my voice breathless and ragged.

A dark smile spreads across his face, a promise of things to come. "With pleasure, little nexari."

He shifts his angle, hitting a spot deep inside me that makes my toes curl. I cry out, my body convulsing around him as he drives me higher and higher. His voice is a constant stream of filthy promises and possessive declarations, pushing me closer to the edge.

"You're close, Lyra," he taunts, his voice rough with exertion. "I can feel it. You're going to come for me, aren't you? You're going to scream my name and tell the whole fucking world who you belong to."

I can't hold back any longer. I'm so close, right on the edge. My body is trembling, my breath coming in ragged gasps. And then he says it, the words that push me over the edge.

"Scream it, Lyra. Scream that you're mine."

And I do. I scream his name, my voice echoing through the room as my body convulses around him. Waves of pleasure crash over me, drowning me in sensation. And as I come, I scream the words he wants to hear, the words that seal my fate.

"I'm yours, Sariel. I'm yours."