Chapter 70: Cenric

Chapter

Seventy

CENRIC

The gentle glow of torchlight cradles Everly's face, lightening the curve of her cheek. Outside, the camp sleeps, unaware of the momentous event that just transpired.

We're married now. Secretly, illegally, but bound nonetheless.

If anyone discovers our union, the consequences would be severe. Death for her, exile for me.

I trace the curve of Everly's cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin beneath my calloused fingers. Her eyes reflect the torchlight and something more—a fierce love that matches my own.

My wife. My woman. Mine.

I bring her closer, breathing in the scent of lavender that clings to her hair. "I'll change things for you. I swear it, Everly."

She shifts in my arms until her gaze meets mine. "What do you mean? "

"I'll work endlessly to change the laws about outsiders, and when I do, I'll rip every damn red circle off your surcoats."

She sighs. "You make it sound so simple, but it's not."

"It won't be. But I'll fight every day until it's done." I capture her lips, pouring my devotion into it.

Mischief glints in her eyes as she pushes me away. "Did you ask permission?"

I grin and pull her back to me. "Kiss me, and I'll consider it forgiveness for my transgressions."

She rolls her eyes but leans closer and kisses me.

Unable to resist teasing her, I draw back. "Was that a kiss or are you trying to put me to sleep?"

Everly gasps, feigning outrage. "How dare you? I'm an excellent kisser."

"Prove it," I challenge.

She grabs my hair and yanks me down for a searing kiss. When we part, I'm the one struggling to form words.

"Well?" she asks, looking entirely too smug.

I clear my throat. "Not bad. For an amateur."

Everly's mouth drops open. "Amateur? I'll show you amateur, you arrogant—"

I silence her with another kiss, laughing against her lips. When we separate, she tries to glare at me, but I still see the smile she's fighting.

"You're impossible," she grumbles.

"And yet, you married me anyway."

Her curls bounce around her shoulders as she shakes her head at me. "Clearly, I've lost my mind."

"Clearly. But I promise to love you, even in your madness. "

Everly snorts. "How romantic. However, will I contain myself?"

The playful banter fades as I lean down, capturing her lips again. This kiss is different from our earlier ones—slower, deeper.

A sigh escapes her as my tongue teases the seam of her lips. She opens for me, and I explore her mouth with a reverence that borders on worship.

My hands slide down her sides, feeling the curve of her waist through the fabric of her nightdress. The thin material does little to hide the heat of her skin, and I fight the urge to tear it away until I see all of her.

Her fingers roam across my back while I continue worshiping her with gentle caresses and reverent kisses. My heart thunders as I capture her hands in mine, bringing them to my lips. I kiss each fingertip, each knuckle, showing her how much I care for her.

Does she know how soft her body is? How inviting? How I cannot get enough?

She's everything I ever wanted. Everything I ever needed.

Even when I was too stubborn to see it, she was always the one for me.

I linger at the hollow of her throat before moving lower, kissing her collarbone, her shoulder.

Today, I'm claiming her. Making her mine. Branding her.

Everly tries to bring me closer, seeking more, but I'm in no rush. Not when I want her to feel how much I care for her in every touch, every kiss.

My hands continue roaming her body, tracing the curve of her waist, the swell of her hips, the fullness of her breast. Boldly, I circle her nipple through the thin fabric of her nightdress. She gasps and clutches me closer.

"Do you like that?" I ask as I push aside her nightdress, exposing her breast. Her nipple hardens, and I lean down, capturing it in my mouth. Everly writhes beneath me as I suck and tease.

A smile spreads across my mouth as I grab the hem of her nightdress, ripping it away.

"I only have one other nightdress, Cenric," she protests.

"I'll buy you more," I say against her skin as I trail kisses down her stomach.

"When?" Her fingers dig into my hair, gripping tightly as I push her legs apart. I move lower, liking the sounds that escape her lips when I reach the apex of her thighs. She trembles beneath me, her breath hitching as I tease her with my tongue.

"That's my good girl," I say against her, and she moans again. Louder this time, desperate, as if she cannot get enough.

She scrapes her fingers down my back, her nails digging in. It only fuels me, driving me to suck her, lick her, plunge my finger inside her.

"Cenric," she gasps out, her voice a ragged plea as she grabs the back of my head, shoving me against her. "Harder. Please."

I do as she requested, plunging harder, sucking deeper, determined to bring her to the brink and beyond.

"More," she demands.

I comply, increasing the pressure, flicking my tongue faster against her clit. Her hips buck against my mouth as I slide another finger inside her. She cries out as I pump them in and out, matching the rhythm of my tongue against her.

"Don't stop," she pants.

Determined to push her over the edge, I redouble my efforts. I suck her clit into my mouth, grazing it lightly with my teeth. At the same time, I crook my fingers with firm, insistent strokes.

A cry rips from her throat as she surrenders to her release, to me, to this moment.

I need her now!

I withdraw my fingers and position myself at her entrance. Gripping her hips, I drive inside her, filling her completely. Everly grabs my arms as I plunge deeper.

She's a goddess, my goddess, and I'm claiming her, worshipping her with every powerful thrust. I lean down, capturing her mouth in a fierce kiss.

It's not enough.

I move faster, harder, my hips driving against hers with an urgent rhythm. She tightens around me, her body responding to every stroke as I push her closer and closer to the edge.

She cries out as she convulses, her release crashing over her like a storm.

It's too much, too intense.

With a final, powerful thrust, I bury myself deep inside her.

When we part, I rest my forehead against hers. "You're my family now, Everly. My home."