22. Irix

22

IRIX

T he fire crackles, casting flickering shadows on Laia's face as she approaches. Her eyes are tired but determined—a look I’ve come to recognize. I find myself thinking of her and more, seeking her presence like a moth to a flame.

It’s not just lust anymore; something deeper pulls at me whenever I see her. My pulse quickens as she moves closer, her steps steady despite the heaviness ofthe world on her shoulders.

She sits beside me without a word, the silence between us heavy and thick. The fire’s warmth contrasts with the cool night air, creating a cocoon of quiet intensity around us. I steal a glance at her, noticing the lines of exhaustion etched into her features.

I’ve been noticing that Thalos and her have this weird tension going on between them. It seems she just came back from talking to him as I smell my brother on her. Poor her; Thalos doesn’t really care about other things aside from family.

We sit in silence for a moment, the crackling fire our only companion.

“You’re different lately,” I finally say, my voice low and rough to break the tension. “You’ve been working hard and can fight now.”

She looks at me, green eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes me crave her more. “I have to be,” she replies softly. “I can’t afford to be weak anymore.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, stirring something inside me that I can’t quite name. There’s more to this human than meets the eye—more than just survival driving her. I want to know what it is—to understand this fire within her that refuses to be extinguished.

I reach out, my hand brushing against hers. The contact is brief but electric, sending a jolt of awareness through both of us. Laia doesn’t pull away; instead, she holds my gaze, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two beings in the world.

“You’ve changed too,” she says quietly, almost as if she’s admitting something to herself.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “How so?”

“You’re... different with me now,” she murmurs. “Not just...”

“Not just what?” I press gently.

“Not just seeing me as another tool,” she finishes, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her honesty catches me off guard. She’s right; I do see her differently now. But what does that mean for us?

The fire crackles louder as if echoing the questions burning in my mind.

I smirk, but it’s a softer expression than usual. “You’ve earned it.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I feel something shift inside me. This isn’t just about power anymore. It’s about her—about what she makes me feel. And that scares me.

Without warning, I pull her towards me, my lips crashing against hers. But this kiss is different—it’s not just about possession. There’s something raw and unguarded in the way I hold her, like I’m afraid of what I’m feeling but can’t stop myself.

Her lips are soft and warm, and the taste of her sends a shiver down my spine. My hands grip her waist, pulling her closer until there’s no space left between us. The fire crackles louder, but it fades into the background as everything else falls away.

For a moment, it’s just us—no past, no future, only the present. Only this kiss.

Laia responds, her fingers tangling in my fur as she presses closer. The kiss deepens, filled with unspoken emotions neither of us are ready to face. Her touch sends sparks through my body, igniting something primal and raw inside me. I pull her even closer, my hands roaming her back, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers.

When we finally break apart, my chest heaves, and I search her eyes for some kind of answer. “I don’t know what this is,” I admit, my voice rough. “But I can’t ignore it anymore. You’ve been driving me crazy.”

Her heart skips a beat—I can feel it against my chest—but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she looks up at me, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of fear and longing. “Then don’t,” she whispers.

That’s all the permission I need.

I lift her effortlessly, carrying her to my cave, where I made a soft bed just for her. Our movements are urgent yet careful, each touch sending waves of heat through us both. I lay her down gently, hovering over her as I kiss her again—this time slower, savoring the taste of her lips.

My hands explore every inch of her body, mapping out the curves and lines that drive me wild. Laia’s breath comes in soft gasps, her hands gripping my shoulders as if anchoring herself to me.

I kiss her throat, down to in between her chest, then trailing below her navel. I look up, and our gazes meet with so much intensity, it feels like she can see through my soul.

“Irix, take me, will you?” she pleads. For a moment, I just stare at her; there’s something so vulnerable in her face and voice, as if she really needs me. As if right this moment, I’m everything she needs.

I frown, wanting to ask the question. It’s a first for me, and I almost laugh because of the urge. It’s not everyday that I want to inquire about someone’s emotions.

“Please,” she begs again, her hands going to my horn. I gasp, my eyes widening a fraction. I didn’t know my horn could be so sensitive. I tremble, my breathing coming in ragged gasps of air.

“Your wish is my command,” I groan as I remove my armor and her clothes. Our lips meet again in wild ecstasy. Then she suddenly pushes me on the bed. Laia’s on top of me.

“Surrender yourself to me, warrior.” She straddles me, grabbing my chin. My heart almost jumps out of my chest as she rubs her wet cunt on my stomach, and my cock fits in between her ass.

“Yes,” I rasp, unable to wrap my head around what she’s doing right now. She hovers over my cock and envelops me.

“Oh, shit!” I let out a sound in between a roar and a moan. My cock disappears inside her wet cunt, inch by inch. Laia throws her head back and arches her body. Then she starts moving.

Up and down. Swinging her hair and twisting her hips.

“Laia!” I roar her name as her muscles squeeze my cock. This is driving me insane. I hold onto her waist and slam her down on me. Our hips meet in a frenzy. Laia then holds onto my horn, and that’s it for me.

I groan, feeling my head spin in ecstasy as I explode inside her. My cum spills out of her cunt, trailing below as we both pant.

She lies on top of me, kissing my neck. “Irix, tell me you’re mine.”

My world seems to stop, and I lock eyes with her. As if seduced, I open my mouth, saying, “I’m all yours.”