Chapter Eighteen: Varn

Varn led his mate to his apartment. Had they done this last night? Had he made love to her and forgotten?

At least when we get our memories of Carys back, we'll have a whole extra night to cherish, his dragon said.

Always the optimist. Varn couldn't help but smile as he unlocked the door and held it open for her.

Carys stepped inside and looked around, taking everything in. "It's nice." Her eyes widened as she saw the view over the bay, where the huge full moon hung in the sky. "Wow."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I wish I could say it was mine…but it's not. I don't have a place to call home."

"That makes two of us," Carys told him as she turned away from the view and took a step toward him. "You never told me about your life."

Varn blew the air out of his cheeks. "I love my mother. My father hated me."

"Hated?" Carys tugged her brows together.

"Hate might be a little strong. At least when I was younger. But as I grew up and my awareness of how Cairnnor was ruled grew, I realized my father was not a good man." Varn dropped his gaze, staring at the polished wooden floor.

"I'm sorry." She closed the distance between them and cupped his face in her hand, raising his head until they were looking into each other's eyes. "Not just for your relationship with your father. It takes courage to go against your parents' views. But also, for what's happening between us. I know how shifters feel about their mates. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been having that glimpse of me and then never being able to find me again."

"Or did I?" he asked, the emotion in his voice raw.

"We might never know." Carys slid closer to him. "But if we did, I bet we had the best time." She slipped her arms around his neck. "Now let's make some memories."

And love, his dragon purred.

Varn leaned down and scooped her up into his arms. As he carried her to the bedroom, he glanced at the clock. 11.30 pm.

Were the Regulars waiting for them at The Lonely Tavern? Well, they would be disappointed.

There was no way he was going to meet them in time. Not when he had Carys in his arms. Her warm body pressed against his chest, her sweet scent filling his senses.

He gently lay her down on the bed, unable to take his eyes off her. She was so perfect.

In every way.

Carys reached up and pulled him down to her, capturing his lips in a searing kiss that ignited his blood. Her hands roamed over his back, tugging at his shirt impatiently. Varn broke the kiss just long enough to shed the garment before covering her body with his once more.

"Varn," she sighed, arching into him as his lips trailed down her neck, tasting her, teasing her. "I want you. I need you."

"I'm yours," he rumbled against her throat. "Always. In every way."

Varn's skillful hands made quick work of the fastenings on Carys's shirt as he kissed a fiery path across her collarbone. The silky fabric slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her waist, baring her breasts to his reverent gaze.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, voice husky with desire. His fingers skimmed along the lace edge of her bra before dipping beneath the delicate material to cup her breast. Carys gasped, back arching off the bed as he rolled the taut peak between his fingers.

He pushed her bra down and licked her nipple with the flat of his tongue, making her squirm beneath him. She threaded her fingers into his hair and whimpered as he grazed her nipple with his teeth. As he lavished attention on her breasts, his arousal kicked up a notch…or two. The way she responded to his touch set his blood on fire.

As he switched his attention to her other breasts, she slid her hands down his back, and then trailed her fingers along the waistband of his black jeans, before tugging on his belt. As her fingers worked, she brushed against his hardness and he gasped, closing his eyes as he fought for control.

Surely, nothing could make him forget this. No magic was powerful enough to make him forget the feel of her hands on his body, the taste of her skin, the scent that was uniquely Carys. Magic may have stolen his memories before, but in this moment, Varn knew with absolute certainty that his soul would always remember his mate.

Carys finally worked his belt free and unzipped his jeans, pushing them down his hips. Varn kicked them off impatiently, desperate to feel her bare skin against his. He hooked his fingers into the waistband of her pants and tugged them down her curvy thighs.

He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of her laid out before him, wearing nothing but a bra and a pair of lace panties.

She reached for him, pulling him down into a searing kiss that made him harden in the most uncomfortable way. But before he made love to her, he wanted to taste her, to tease her, to make her call out his name in ecstasy.

Her tongue entwined with his as her hands roamed over the planes of his back. Varn groaned into her mouth, hips rocking against hers instinctively. The lace of her panties created delicious friction against his straining length.

He moved, slowly, pressing against her most sensitive flesh as she rolled her hips, arching into him.

He broke their kiss to trail his lips down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin. Varn nipped and licked his way to her collarbone.

With a deft flick, he unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. Carys instinctively inched her arms to cover her breasts, but he captured her hands and pinned them gently above her head. "Let me worship you," he murmured, his voice rough with need.

Carys met his gaze and bit her lip as she nodded, her eyes dark with desire.

Varn took his time kissing her flesh, before sucking her nipple into his mouth and circling his tongue around and around the taut bud.

As he tortured her breasts, she arched her back, freeing her hands to curl her fingers around his hardness. She stroked him up and down, and he moved his hips in rhythm to her touch. But he was close to coming and when he came, he wanted to come inside her.

Varn raised his head, kissing the tips of her nipples before he began a sensual journey down Carys's body, leaving a trail of heated kisses in his wake. He continued lower, skimming his lips over her soft stomach.

When he reached the lacy edge of her panties, Varn hooked his fingers in the delicate fabric and slowly drew them down her legs. Carys lifted her hips to help him, her breath catching in anticipation.

He settled between her thighs, strong hands gently parting them farther before leaning in and running his tongue along her sensitive flesh.

Carys whimpered and raised her hips off the bed, offering herself to him. And he planned to take all she wanted to give.

Varn slipped one finger inside her, stroking her inner walls while he licked her mound.

Carys tensed, her fingers twisting in the sheets as Varn worked his magic. His skillful tongue swirled around her most sensitive spot.

He added a second finger, curling them to stroke her inner walls until he found the spot that made her cry out in ecstasy. Varn growled in satisfaction as he felt her start to tremble and clench around his fingers.

Varn did not relent, drawing out her climax until she was trembling beneath him. Only then did he withdraw his fingers and place a tender kiss on her inner thigh before crawling back up her body.

As he moved, she curled her hand around his hard length and guided him into her.

Varn closed his eyes and bit down on his bottom lip as he slowly entered Carys, her slick inner walls gripping him. A low groan escaped him at the exquisite sensation of being surrounded by her. He stilled for a moment, savoring their connection, the feeling of finally being one with his mate.

Carys rolled her hips, urging him deeper. Her nails dug into his back as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

When he was in control, Varn began to move. He withdrew almost completely before thrusting back in, setting a steady rhythm that had them both gasping in pleasure. Carys met him thrust for thrust, their bodies moving in perfect sync as if they'd done this dance a thousand times before.

Perhaps they had, in another time, another place.

But if that was true, how could he possibly forget?

As he moved inside her, it was as if their connection was soul-deep. Unbreakable.

Unforgettable, his dragon murmured.

Varn lost himself in the sensation of being intimately joined with his mate. Each thrust brought them closer to the edge. Carys clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as she urged him on with breathy moans and whispered pleas.

He could feel her tense around him, her inner walls clenching as her climax approached. Varn reached between their bodies to circle his thumb over the sensitive bundle of nerves, determined to bring her over the edge with him.

"Varn!" Carys cried out, her back arching as the pleasure crested. Her release set off a chain reaction, and Varn groaned as he filled her with his essence.

Varn collapsed onto the bed next to Carys, their shared breaths coming hard and fast as they basked in the aftermath of each other's pleasure. He pulled her into his arms, holding her against him as their breathing slowed and their hearts began to beat in unison.

Carys snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder, her breath warm against his skin. "That was…" she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns over his collarbone.

"Unforgettable." Varn kissed her forehead, and a small hum of agreement came from Carys. She closed her eyes, a blissful smile on her face. He tightened his hold on her as if he was afraid she would disappear from his side.

Or disappear from his memory.

The thought was like a stab to his heart.

How could he forget Carys? What spell had been cast upon him that made him forget her?

And she forget us, his dragon added.

As he gazed down at her, he made a silent vow. No matter what kind of magic had tried to keep them apart, he would never lose Carys again. They were destined to be together, bound by fate, bound by whatever law it was that made true mates.

But he knew it was a vow that was impossible to keep. Whatever forces were at play here, they seemed to be stronger than the mating bond.

Which seemed impossible in itself. The mating bond was unbreakable.

But it is not broken, his dragon reminded him. It's still there.

"I have something for you." Varn kissed her shoulder and then slid out of bed, instantly missing the warmth of her body.

As he padded across the apartment to the kitchen, his senses struggled to keep locked onto her. It was as if a fog was encroaching, threatening to cloud his connection to Carys once again. Varn shook his head, trying to clear the unsettling sensation as he grabbed the gifts he'd found in his apartment this morning.

They were for Carys.

He might not recall buying them for her, but there was no doubt in his heart that was who they were for.

As he tucked them under his arm, he grabbed two wine glasses from the cupboard and carried them back to bed.

"These are for you." He set the wine and chocolates on the nightstand and then handed her the gift box containing the necklace.

"You bought me gifts?" She sat up in bed, holding the sheets to her chest as she took the box from him, looking at Varn with a mixture of surprise and delight. "When did you have time to do this?"

"Yesterday." Varn shrugged, a small smile on his face.

"Yesterday?" Carys shot him a questioning look. "Does that mean you have your memories back?"

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get your hopes up." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "I don't remember buying them, but I found these in the apartment this morning. They were obviously meant for you."

She opened the box slowly and sucked in a breath when she saw the fine silver chain with the pendant that dangled from it. The pendant was a crescent moon, with tiny sparkling crystals making up a star. "Oh, Varn, it's beautiful."

"Let me help." He took the necklace from the box and held it up. "Turn around."

Carys swept her hair over one shoulder as she turned her back to Varn. He leaned in close, draping the chain around her neck, before fastening it. His fingers lingered on her skin, and he kissed her bare shoulder.

She touched the pendant, feeling the cool metal beneath her fingers, before she turned back to face him. "I love it. Thank you." Carys leaned in and kissed him, a soft kiss that told him more about her feelings than words ever would.

Varn deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, before he pulled back and nipped at her bottom lip. "That's not all," he murmured against her lips. He reached over to pick up the wine and chocolates. "Thought we could enjoy these, too."

Carys grinned and picked a chocolate from the box, holding it up to his mouth.

Varn parted his lips, allowing Carys to place the chocolate on his tongue. The rich flavor of dark cocoa and a hint of cherry burst across his taste buds as the sweet morsel melted into his mouth. He savored it for a moment before swallowing.

"Delicious," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "But not as sweet as you."

Carys blushed at his words. She bit her lower lip and looked down, her long eyelashes brushing against her cheeks. Then she lifted her head again to look at him. Picking up another chocolate, she popped it in her mouth, closing her eyes as she savored the taste.

Varn felt a surge of desire watching her eat. He put the box to one side, cupped her face, and kissed her, tasting the chocolate on her tongue. Carys sighed into his mouth, her fingers running through his dark hair.

When they finally pulled away, both gasping for breath, Varn rested his forehead against hers. "I could kiss you forever and never tire of it."

"I feel the same." Carys's voice was no more than a whisper. "When I am with you, everything feels right. Like this is where I'm supposed to be."

"It is. And always will be. With me, always." The words came easily to him, as if he had spoken them a thousand times before.

Varn kissed Carys again, softly, tenderly. When he pulled back, he reached for the wine bottle and opened it, the soft pop echoing in the room. He poured the dark red liquid into their glasses and handed one to Carys.

"To us," he toasted, clinking his glass against hers. "To finding each other again, no matter what."

"To us." Carys raised her glass, her eyes shining with unshed tears. They each took a sip of the wine, their eyes locked over the rims of their glasses.

Varn put his glass to one side and took her hand in his, kissing each knuckle in turn. "I will never stop fighting for you, for us. I promise."

Carys put her glass down and cupped his face. "I know. I can feel it, too. This bond between us. It's stronger than anything."

"I love you," he said.

Carys met his gaze. "And I love you, too."

"You do?" He'd never expected her to feel this way so fast.

But he was not complaining.

"I do." She held his face in her hands. "I don't want to think about how many times we might have met in the past and forgotten each other. But the way I feel… It's like I've known you forever."

He leaned in and kissed her lips as the town bells chimed midnight. As their kiss broke, they inched back and stared at each other.

We are not strangers, his dragon said happily.

Maybe, just maybe, the spell was broken.