11. Chapter Eleven

ROSE

"I'm sorry," I squeak.

He lets up his hold on my throat, his thumb stroking my thundering pulse.

"I can't do this. It's killing me." His words are thick as they come out. He clears his throat. "Did kill me."

Grief, like a hot knife, impales my chest. His arms loosen around me, allowing me to turn and move his still-wet hair out of his beautiful, seafoam green eyes.

I don't remove my hands from his face. Instead, I hold his cheeks, tracing the skin with my thumbs. His eyes close, as though it pains him to keep them open. Dark eyelashes frame them.

"Look at me."

His pierced eyebrows pinch together before his lids slowly open. Pupils eat up the green as he locks his glassy gaze on mine.

I swallow hard. "For over a week, I barely showered. Barely ate."

Confusion flits across his features.

"When I found you, you were so pale. I didn't know if you still had Theo's feather or not, so I carried you through the house and to the courtyard. Begged Chaos to save you, told him I'd ascend with him if he did."

Pained eyes shutter again. "You shouldn't have done that, now you have to?—"

I shake his face in my hands so he can look at me. "No. He did it because I asked him to, not because he needed something in return for it. For three whole days, I couldn't bear to leave my bed because you were still sleeping in it." Kieran's breathing picks up, his chest heaving against my forearms. "I clung to you, telling you that things would change when you woke up.

"You told me you'd burn the world for me. But I don't want that?—"

He yanks his head out of my hold as though he's been struck. "I don't need to hear this."

After pulling him back to me, I grab tighter. "I want you to help me save it."

"Save it?"

"Before I heard that magic is dying, I wanted you. A part of me wanted you the first day you blocked my entry into the auditorium, but I was just too fucking stubborn to let someone so cocky in that easily."

"Magic is dying?"

"That's not the point I'm trying to make. I want you, Kieran. Not as a roommate. Not as a friend."

Raising a pierced brow, skepticism crosses his face. "Are you asking me to fuck you right now?" He stills, the predator in his serpentine gaze locked on my every minute movement. Assessing. Waiting.

I huff a laugh, my lips curling at the edges as a flush of heat crawls up my neck, painting me a blue hue of arousal that brightens the jungle around us. His gaze turns more intense, feeding off the sight of it. "No. I'm asking you to fall in love with me."

"Too late for that."

Agony crushes my chest, and it's my time to close my eyes, the pain too much to bear. "I'm not asking you to fall in love with me today," I whisper, keeping them shut as tears track down my cheeks. "I'm asking you to fall in love, step by step, day by day. Yes, you can burn the world for me, but I'd rather that you grow a garden instead."

I feel his hands, warm and gentle, cradle my face. As my mind spins with turbulent thoughts, he surprises me with an action so bizarre, so unexpected. He licks my tear-streaked cheeks.

Startled, I jerk my head back, my eyes snapping open in shock. My heart hammers against my ribs, confusion whirling in the sudden space between us. "You licked me!" I blurt out.

His gaze holds mine, amusement coloring his features. "I didn't take you for a fool." He grins. "I'm already in love with you."

In the brief pause that follows his confession, the air between us seems charged, electric. As though we're at the edge of a cliff, daring each other to go first. My mind races, thoughts tumbling over each other, yet deep inside, hope takes root. It blooms, wrapping itself around my limbs, propelling me into action. Without giving myself a moment to second-guess, I reach up, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling his face down to mine.

His body tenses, a startled breath caught between surprise and anticipation, but then I go in for the kill.

I lick him.

He throws his head back and laughs. And my gods, it's a beautiful sound. His laughter, rich and unguarded, fills the air, echoing off the canopy around us. A sound full of surprise and delight, making my heart leap in response. I can't help the grin that spreads across my face, mirroring his joy. For a moment, I want to weep when I realize this is the first time I've actually heard it this unguarded, as though he were a caged bird and now he's been set free.

Then, as his chuckles subside, he lowers his head again, his eyes sparkling with mischief and something deeper, more intense. "Is that how you want to play this?" he teases, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers through me.

His eyes bore into mine with an intense heat that sears through my defenses, melting them away like wax. With deliberate movements, he leans in, his lips capturing mine in a tender yet demanding kiss. It does not seek permission. Nor does it linger at the edge.

It conquers, takes possession, like a warrior laying claim to his prize. Instead of feeling overpowered, I'm invited. Welcomed into the warmth and depth of him. His hand finds its way to the small of my back, his fingers carding through my hair to cup the back of my head, pulling me deeper into his heated embrace.

I can see my glowing skin behind my eyelids as I melt into him, feel the cool metal against me from his piercings. His tongue seeks to gain entrance, and I part my lips in invitation. It slides against mine, a cool metal ball greeting me in the center of it. Exploring the sweetness of his mouth with a fervor that borders on desperation, I drown in him.

Kieran hitches my leg around his waist, and I hoist myself so I can wrap my other around him. He spins us so my back is pressed against a tree, the rough bark digging into my back through the fabric of my tank top.

His hands rest on the globes of my ass as he grinds into me, and his cock is just as glorious as I remember, trapped between us.

As his mouth trails along my jaw, to just below my ear, his breath comes out in ragged pants. His lips find the sensitive spot on my neck, where my pulse thumps wildly beneath the surface. His teeth gently graze over it, and I let out a whimper of surrender. A victorious growl rumbles from his throat, vibrating against me.

"I don't want to take you against a tree, but by the gods, we'd better get inside before I do."

Laughing breathlessly, I nod, my fingers curling into his hair. I've already been unwrapped from around him too quickly for my liking, and the cool balm of the night sends a chill up my spine as it replaces the heat that was just there. But Kieran is quick to replace his arm around me again, leading me towards the path to the hidden entrance to the cave.

Just as we regain our rhythm, me tucked into his side, the atmosphere shifts. The air thickens, charged with an energy that causes the hairs on the back of my neck to rise.

We pull up short. Chaos stands in front of us, tall and imposing. His hair, so dark it's nearly blue, falls tousled and wild around his striking face, his eyes burning like emeralds dipped in molten gold as they land on me. A grin adorns his cheeks as power radiates from him in waves.

"Make sure she bites you first," he warns before stepping off the path and out of our way. "Or I'll drag you back to the underworld."

His threat startles me. "Why?"

"His venom will kill you otherwise. You must be mated before he can safely bite you."

Kieran makes a noise that sounds a little like thanks, his grip around my waist tightening. "I won't hurt her."

My soul bond merely shrugs, the grin never leaving his face. "Just looking out for my soul bond." He raises an amused brow at me. "I told the others you were going to spend the night in Kieran's room."

I don't even have time for the embarrassment to hit me before he's shifting into his crow form and taking flight.

"Thank you," I whisper to the sky, heat flaming my cheeks as he disappears above the canopy.

The tunnels are quiet as we make our way through them, the hushed whispers of fae magic echoing along the damp cavernous walls.

We reach the entrance to his room, a door made of living vines twisted together to form a barrier. He runs his hand along the vines, whispering a few words in the ancient language of the fae. An unlocking spell. The vines shudder and twist around each other, spiraling open to reveal a room bathed in dark greens, blacks, and silvers.

He redecorated this week. He'd been planning to stay before tonight's incident. Something warm blooms in my chest at that.

I leave him at the door as I stroll to his bed to run my fingers over it.

The bed is a low, broad platform of dark slate, cushioned by a thick mattress and dressed in glistening silken sheets the color of obsidian.

"I really like what you've done with the place." I straighten, crossing to his dresser and admiring the intricate carvings etched into the wood. They depict ancient serpents, their bodies coiling and writhing amidst a sea of flowers in full bloom.

Roses.

I inspect the various trinkets he keeps. I run my fingers over an ornate dagger, its handle bejeweled with emeralds. Next to it is a tall jar with blue petals that shine like stars, painting a faint glow around it.

A glint of silver catches my eye, drawing me to a small frame displaying a beautiful portrait. In it, a woman holds a young boy while a man looks on with a tear of joy and a fond smile on his face. It's animated, a small enchantment that displays the tiny sliver in time whenever someone looks at it. The boy's laughter rings out and the woman's gentle hum fills the room with a feeling of home. The man's tear sparkles, catching the light of the fire crackling in the hearth behind them. I touch it, the warmth spreading up my fingers. And I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness, even as the corners of my mouth tug upward.

Gerard Templeton and Prairie Fallgren.

"You have her eyes," I whisper. "And his smile."

I feel his warmth at my back, still hearing the enchanted photo in front of us. The sound cuts off as soon as I avert my attention.

"Thank you." Kieran's voice is soft, holding a touch of nostalgic melancholy.

His eyes flick across his parents' faces before landing on the boy sandwiched between them. The boy who was once him, untainted by the world's harsh realities.

His arms snake around my waist, pulling me into the cradle of his muscled body. His touch spreads warmth up my spine, making me sigh in contentment. I soak in his gentle strength, the quiet bond we've been nurturing all evening.

"I envy him," Kieran murmurs into my hair, still staring at the family portrait.

"Envy?" I turn within his hold to face him, my hands instinctively moving to rest against the chiseled plane of his chest. His eyes continue to be haunted by the image, an echo of the past that's now forever out of reach.

He nods, his grip tightening around me. "Yes, him; the boy who knew nothing but love and peace. He didn't know about darkness, war, or the cruelties of this life."

"I'm sorry that was taken from you, but I'm not sorry it's led you to me." It's selfish of me. And probably the wrong thing to say, but it's the truth.

He lifts his gaze to meet mine, and I'm struck by the raw vulnerability shining in his cool green eyes. He presses his forehead against mine, his warm breath fanning against my lips. The enchanting scent of him wraps around me, a comforting blanket that eases any lurking tension. I reach up to trace the outline of his lips, my thumb catching on the snakebite piercings there.

A ghost of a smile plays on his lips as he closes the gap between us, capturing my thumb gently with his teeth. The sensation sends goosebumps skittering down my arms, and I can't suppress the soft gasp that slips from my lips as my blue skin illuminates the space between us.

"I think I like you in blue," he murmurs, his warm breath tickling my finger. He releases it from between his teeth, the echo of the sensation lingering. His hands settle on my hips, pulling me closer into the circle of his arms. I can feel the rhythmic beat of his heart against mine. "It's quite the enchanting sight." He presses his mouth against my jaw before tracing a path down my neck.

Leaning into him, I tilt my head to give him better access. "You should know," I breathe. "That if we do this, you'll need to ascend."

He pauses. "Ascend?" His query hums against my skin, a note of confusion threading through the sensual haze.

"You'll be a fae guardian," I answer, my words no more than a whisper.

"A god?" He pulls back to look at me.

I wince. "Of sorts."

"And the others … are okay with this? They didn't seem okay when they caught me between your thighs in the hallway."

"That was a misunderstanding, really. They heard me scream and rushed out to find you naked and on top of me. It's hard to paint that picture any differently. Our argument earlier was because Jax and Deakan wanted to run after you, but I told them no, that it was time for the two of us to finally sit down and talk. Obviously, I won." I smirk. "Always do."

He searches my eyes. "And the rest?"

"Everyone is on board. We discussed it at length with my family, too."

He's quiet, as still as stone. Waves of anxiety pulse through me, glad I'm having this conversation now, and not after we've solidified our mating bond.

No sooner do I close my eyes in an attempt to calm myself than his voice breaks the silence, causing them to snap open again.

"I'll do it."

"You understand this means spending the summer studying for ascension? We won't be doing Spar Games anymore, as that won't really be fair to literally anyone else in all the realms …" I'm rambling, but I want to make sure he understands. "And ascending is painful, and dangerous, and?—"

"I'll get to spend eternity with you. Yes, I've got it." He grins at me, that sexy, half-smile thing he does when he's being a smartass.

I can't help but match his grin, my own smile taking a breathless quality. "Well, then," I say softly, giving his arm a playful swat. "That's settled."

"Got anything else you need to get off your chest, princess?" He slips his hand through my hair and holds it at the nape as he runs his tongue along my cheek. "Or can we get to the good part?"

I laugh, shoving him onto the bed. "What is up with you and licking me?"

His laughter rings out, a soft peal of delight that lights up the room more than the pale blue glow of my skin. "You taste delicious."

Serpent fae do have far more taste receptors than we do. So maybe there's some merit to it.

He sprawls out on the now-rumpled sheets, his amused green eyes twinkling with an invitation that sends my heart fluttering erratically as I move to straddle him. Trapped between us, yet again, is the evidence of his desire for me.

Kieran's hands instinctively come to rest on my waist, his gaze drinking in my figure as I peel my tank top off me.

His eyes follow the movement, a soft hitch in his breath as the garment floats to the floor. My sports bra is next. The cool night air brushes against my skin, causing a pleasant shiver throughout my body.

"You're beautiful," he groans, tugging on the drawstring around my pajama shorts.

I grip his broad shoulders and pull him closer, helping him take off his hoodie. The scent of pineapple fills my senses as I notice he's shirtless. His pierced nipples catch the light, drawing my gaze to the intricate tattoos that cover his muscular chest. Among the ink, I see a tribute to his deceased parents and an array of serpents intertwined with vibrant roses.

Dozens of them.

My fingers trace them, and I grin when goosebumps follow in my wake.

"Did you use my body wash?"

"I always use it." His answering smirk lets me know he's enjoying this playful banter as much as I am. "I fucking love it."

Rising to my knees, I slide my shorts off, and kick them behind me. Kieran raises his ass so I can help him out of his athletic shorts, and his hard length springs free. Discarded, his shorts join the growing pile of our clothes on the floor, and then he's as bare as I am.

I give a teasing swipe over his cock, and he groans, pushing into my hand. The piercing adds a new twist to sex, a new rhythm to learn, and I'm excited by the challenge. His groan deepens as I trace my fingers around the row of bars along the length of him, and the small ring at the end before using my thumb to gather the moisture beading at the tip.

His fingers dig into my thighs, as if he's physically restraining himself from lifting me up so he can impale me. "You're killing me here."

I answer him with a wide grin as I take his dick in my hand and rub it against my clit. "Patience, Kieran." There's a singsong quality to my voice as I meet his gaze. His pupils are blown wide, the green of his eyes so dark it's nearly black, and the sight pumps adrenaline through my veins. I relish in the whimper that escapes him as I add more pressure. His grip strengthens, his breathing ragged, and the brilliant hue of his usually green eyes darken to a stormy gray.

"Enjoy it while you can," he groans as his hips undulate under me. "Once we're mated and I don't have to hold myself back, you're mine."

"Is that so?" I press a kiss to the tip of his nose and lean back as he playfully snaps at me with his teeth.

He licks his lips. "Better be ready, Rose. I've fucked these fists of mine raw to the thought of you beneath me."

"I heard you in the shower tonight."

"Is that why you waited for me?" He smirks, flicking one of his lip piercings with his tongue.

A small whimper escapes me when he adjusts himself under me, so his cock slides just right against my clit. His eyes land between my thighs as he spreads them further apart, so he gets a better view.

"Hard to believe this tiny little pussy will be able to take my cock," he muses. "But I've seen Jax's. If you can take his, you can take mine."

Lust rattles my brain, but his words catch up to me. "You've seen his dick?"

He grins. "And Deakan's."

"Have you …" I don't know what I'm asking.

"No. We've gotten dressed in front of each other more times than I can count."

"Do you want to …" The thought alone, of seeing my men together? Fuck.

"If it would please you."

He doesn't give me a chance to react more than a whimper before he's using vines of magic to bind my wrists together. He flips us so he's on top, my hands are over my head, and his warm body is covering mine.

"Does the thought please you?" he whispers, the sound honeyed and deep. A flash of his serpent behind his eyes makes my heart thunder in my chest. The sultry gaze of the predator paired with the piercing green of his eyes ignites a spark in me that I cannot ignore.

He must hear it, because he brings his hand up to rest over it.

"Yes," I confess breathlessly.

He grins down at me as he tweaks my nipple, rolling it between his thumbs.

"Good," Kieran murmurs, his grin devilish. "Because the thought of you taking pleasure from it pleases me, too." His words ring with sincerity, the husky timbre of his voice undoing me.

His other hand starts to journey down my body, tracing a path between the valley of my breasts, across my navel, and coming to rest against the soft curls at my mound. With deft fingers, he guides his dick to my entrance, softly teasing me with the tip.

"Last chance to back out," he meets my eyes, and waits. He keeps himself still, the head of his cock resting against my folds, not entering but applying just enough pressure to drive me insane.

This surprises me, but I nod anyway, unable to form words as his gaze penetrates into my soul. I can feel his magic humming against my skin, the anticipation killing me.

"Thank fuck," he breathes as he eases in, and my breathing hitches at the stretch of him. "Shh," he soothes, the word drawn out in a choked rasp.

I struggle against the vines binding my hands, desperate to touch him. I'm vividly aware of every inch he slides inside me, filling me to a point that makes it difficult to breathe. Satisfaction flickers in his eyes as he watches the reaction on my face.

Kieran seats himself fully inside me, looking down to watch the way his cock nearly severs me in two. He doesn't move; he just stays there, rooted deep inside me. His body is visibly shaking from the effort it takes to keep himself under control. Our gazes lock, his hooded eyes gleaming with intense focus.

"I want you to remember this," he murmurs, his voice rough from desire. "Your first time with me." His eyes bore into mine as if he could imprint this moment into my memory.

The energy between us is so electric that I can barely think, let alone respond. He doesn't seem to want a reply, though—his gaze turns back down to where we're joined and his thumb brushes gently against my clit, rubbing in agonizingly slow circles.

"Do you trust me?" His eyes meet mine.

My brows furrow. "Yes." Implicitly. Though, why he's asking, I don't know.

A wide grin splits his face. "Good. Now close your eyes."

Smiling, I do as I'm told.

Something wet and warm flickers against my bundle of nerves, wrapping itself around my clit. My mouth falls open and an un-fae-like sound escapes me. I gasp, my legs trembling as my body bows from the pleasure, a new sensation coursing through my veins like lightning.

My eyes fly open, and I see Kieran, thrusting in and out of me, while a very long, thin serpent tongue extrudes from his mouth and toys with my clit.

It's so utterly different from any experience I've ever had before, and it sends me to new heights of ecstasy.

His face remains fae, eyes locked on mine, a spark of smug satisfaction in them as he watches my reactions. Yet, it's as though there are two Kierans working me at the same time; one is all fae, holding my gaze with passion and intent while his dick stays rooted in me, the other a clever serpent fae, teasing me with delicate flicks of his tongue.

As he moves within me, his tongue works in tandem with his methodical thrusts. Each flick on my clit coincides perfectly with the beats where he's buried to the hilt, timing that sends wave after wave of pleasure crashing over me. His eyes never waver from mine as he pulls back and thrusts in again, the single movement making me cry out.

"Kieran!" I groan, a plea or perhaps an oath, I'm not sure.

I break apart beneath him, my climax hitting me with the intensity of a thunderstorm. My legs shake, my heart races, and my fingers claw into the vines holding me down. My body tightens around him, squeezing and pulsating. The vines around my wrists disappear, allowing me to fling my arms around him, my nails digging into his back.

He grunts in response, leaning down to capture my lips in a ravenous kiss, his tongue no longer continuing its assault on my clit.

His fingers tighten against my hips as he pulls out slowly, then plunges back in with a force that steals my breath away. He sets a pace that's maddening in its combination of sensuality and raw carnage, every thrust designed to drag the utmost pleasure from us both.

"You're so tight," he grumbles, his voice rough around the edges, straining with restraint as his serpent eyes flash with satisfaction. "So fucking tight."

My ears seem to lose their ability to hear anything around me but the slapping of our skin together. Kieran's smug face is right in mine when he pulls back, a smirk tipping up his lips.

"You'd better bite me now so I can sink my fangs into that pretty little neck of yours when I come."

His cock continues to throb inside me as he pulls back, his eyes never leaving mine as he exposes his neck, a taunting invitation that makes my heart race even faster.

Of their own accord, my fangs slide from my gums. Dainty little things, but sharp enough to pierce skin. The bite one feels during the mating bond snapping into place is unlike anything else. It's a feral, primal kind of mark—one that reeks of possession, commitment, and pleasure all rolled into one. A sensation that tattoos itself onto your soul.

He lifts his chin a little higher, his eyes taking on a vulnerable look I rarely see in him.

I lean towards him, my lips pressing a light kiss to the base of his neck before my teeth sink into his skin. He tastes salty, sweet, and wild—a flavor distinctly him. The moment they pierce his skin, he throws his head back and lets out a powerful groan, the sound vibrating through the room around us.

His blood fills my mouth, and it's like tasting raw, unfiltered honey. Bliss blooms in my chest, spreading like wildfire through my veins. The taste of him, the sound of his pleasure, everything feels so right. His hands grip my waist, fingers digging into my skin as he grinds into me, his thrusts increasing in pace.

It's not just the physical pleasure coursing through me now—it's the feeling of our souls connecting. Each thrust, each pulse of his heart echoing within mine. The world falls away, leaving us in our own bubble of ecstasy.

My body convulses around him, a further climax rippling through me as I drink from him. His shaft throbs within me, and I feel his release as he sinks his fangs into my neck, his groan vibrating through his chest into mine. He drinks from me as he spills into me, simultaneously creating and fulfilling a need I didn't even know existed. The sensation of him drinking is just as erotic as the feel of him moving within me, my pulse quickening again as I become acutely aware of the link formed between us.

The rest of the world fades to insignificance, leaving only us. Only this moment. I continue to taste him, the unique flavor of his essence blending with the sweet undertones of his blood. It's intoxicating—like the most exquisite wine, it leaves me craving more.

His movements slow as our climaxes wear down, but he doesn't pull out of me. Instead, he slumps against me, his weight comforting in a way that makes me feel cherished. The heat radiating from him seeps into my skin, comforting and soothing. His mouth remains attached to my neck, his fangs barely grazing my skin as he laps up the last drops of my blood, his warm tongue tickling my flesh.

His fangs retract from my neck, leaving behind a tingling sensation, the reminder of our bond lingering on my skin. A soft grunt escapes his lips, and his fingers loosen their grip on my waist.

His eyes meet mine again. The smug edge has vanished, replaced by a look I can only describe as pure adoration. He brushes a stray tuft of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear in a gentle gesture.

"You're incredible," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper, yet resonating loudly inside me. "I've never felt anything like this before."

He looks almost … content. At peace. I can feel his satisfaction echo through the bond we now share.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," he breathes against my skin, his words raw and husky. His fingers trace gentle circles on my hip as we remain entwined, the world outside forgotten for a few blissful moments.

He flips us so I'm lying on his chest, but he stays rooted inside me.

Cool air hits my skin, and an involuntary chill runs through me, goosebumps skittering down my back. Using magic, Kieran levitates the blankets that have fallen to the floor and lays them over me.

"Shouldn't we clean up?"

"Fuck, no. I'm never changing these sheets again."

I throw my head back and laugh, and he answers with a grin.